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Bosnich calls for 12-month ban for NPL forward after "disgraceful" act
Sam Kosack • February 10th, 2026 6:21 pm
Australian football great Mark Bosnich believes NWS Spirit forward Callum Kealy should be handed a 12-month ban over an ugly “assault” in the NPL.
Kealy was caught on camera stomping on the calf of Sutherland Sharks’ defender Jamie Percevski in an unprovoked brain explosion late in the game.
Spirit FC chairman Frank Marchi released a statement on social media after the incident, revealing the club had stood down Kealy while Football NSW investigates the situation.
“Spirit FC is aware of an incident that occurred during Saturday night’s match against Sutherland Sharks,” the statement said.
“The club has taken immediate action and has stood down the player involved from all training and match participation while the matter is reviewed through the Football NSW judicial process.
“Our thoughts are with Jamie Percevski, and we sincerely hope he is ok.
“Spirit FC remains committed to upholding the values of respect, safety, and integrity across our club and this great game.”
Percevski is a former NWS player, having been a part of the side’s premiership team last season.
Under ordinary circumstances, Kealy would be facing a one-match suspension, however, Mark Bosnich has called for a much harsher punishment to be handed down.
“This is a disgrace,” Bosnich said on SEN's Gloves Off.
“It was assault… (it was an) absolute disgraceful.
“Why? I don't understand. If you want to play… the more forceful sports, we've got sports for that.
“No one deserves that on a football pitch.
“Can you imagine if that was your son, or your brother, or your father?
“That's a minimum 12-month ban… he'd be lucky in my opinion to play again.
“Fair play to (Spirit’s chairman for) standing him down straight away… I'll tell you what, he's gonna be really, really lucky if Sutherland Shire and Perzewski don't pursue this matter in the courts.
“Honestly, and, and it pains me to say that because I'm a great believer in we try our best to keep football on the pitch… but there are some things that go beyond that.
However, Bosnich doesn’t want to see Kealy out of the game forever, instead insisting the forward would need to work his way back and restore the trust he’s lost.
“We've got to make sure there is a way back but at the right time,” Bosnich said.
“We don't want to ostracise him to a point where there is no way back, but there's got to be consequences for that, so people don't even think in the future of doing something like that.”
