Remember me
The ugly half-time spat between A-League teams Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners has had an even uglier fallout, with Brisbane seeking legal advice after Mariners interim coach Warren Moon’s stinging post-match comments.
The Roar also say Moon’s claims of police involvement were off the mark, stating police were already at the venue as part of their routine operations, and no conduct by Brisbane required police to step in.
Moon, a former player and coach at the Roar, labelled the half-time conduct of Brisbane’s coaching staff an embarrassment and a disgrace after the Roar’s drama-filled 2-1 win in Gosford on Wednesday night.
Brisbane’s Justin Vidic headed home a 92nd-minute winner to spark wild celebrations, but it was drama earlier in the spiteful A-League Men match that stole headlines.
Roar coach Michael Valkanis was handed a red card for two bookable offences in first-half stoppage time.
The veteran coach gave ironic applause to referee Alex King upon receiving the first yellow for his behaviour on the sidelines, with the action immediately earning him another booking and subsequent red card.
Referee Alex King gives Brisbane Roar coach Michael Valkanis a second yellow card during the A-League Men match against Central Coast Mariners. Photograph: Scott Gardiner/Getty ImagesThe drama went into overdrive after the half-time whistle when players and staff from both sides engaged in an angry exchange in the tunnel.
Moon, in a post-match interview with Paramount, said police were called.
“I’m just going to be honest and say what I witnessed tonight was a disgrace,” Moon said.
“That was an embarrassment tonight, what happened before half-time and then half-time in the tunnel.
“I’m sure it will come out. Police was called.
“I’m not going to go into the details, except to say I’m really disappointed what I saw from the conduct of the opposition staff tonight.
“There’s volunteers in there that were in the middle of something they didn’t deserve to be involved in.”
Moon addressed the matter again in his regular post-match interview.
“The coach was sent off – that’s not a player. There’s no disadvantage to the playing team,” Moon said.
“It was a time for cool heads, and the opposite happened, to the point where there was police in the tunnel during half-time.
“I’m quite bemused by it all.”
The Roar released a statement on Thursday, strongly denying they did anything to bring the game into disrepute.
“Brisbane Roar Football Club is aware of comments made by the Central Coast Mariners’ interim head coach following last night’s match which publicly insinuated serious misconduct by the club and its staff,” the statement read.
“Those comments were inappropriate, irresponsible, and unsupported by any facts.
“At no time did Brisbane Roar Football Club, its officials, or its coaching staff engage in conduct that brought the game into disrepute. Any suggestion otherwise is categorically rejected.
“The public reference to police involvement was also misleading. Police were already present at the venue as part of routine match‑day operations, and no conduct by Brisbane Roar Football Club or its personnel required police intervention.
“Given the seriousness of the insinuations made and the reputational harm caused to the club, Brisbane Roar Football Club is seeking legal advice in relation to the comments.”
Football Australia said it would investigate the issue as part of its regular Match Review Panel review, with findings expected in coming days.
The Australian Professional Leagues, which runs the various A-League competitions, said it would “support the review led by Football Australia”.
Valkanis said he was surprised to receive a red card, and insinuated some referees may have had it in for him.
“I feel like it was a perfect chance to probably shut me up, because I have voiced my opinion about the VAR and about some decisions,” Valkanis said.
“I’ve said it before, sometimes the referees feel good giving a card to me. That’s OK. It’s not going to stop who I am.
“The game’s about emotion, about passion.
“Maybe we need more passion in this league. Maybe that’s what’s missing.”