OUCH: Sydney FC star Ali Abbas lies on the Pirtek Stadium turf after suffering a season-ending injury in the tackle of Western Sydney Wanderers’ Iacopo la Rocca. Photo: Getty Images
Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic has lashed out at Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold for suggesting Wanderers players celebrated Ali Abbas’ injury in their derby on Saturday night, describing the comments as “insulting”.
Arnold said on Tuesday that two Wanderers players, one of them midfielder Iacopo La Rocca, were high-fiving as Abbas was being carried from the field with a season-ending knee injury during a fiery Sydney derby at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday night.
But Popovic has taken aim at his friend, leaping to the defence of his players on the eve of the grand final rematch against Brisbane Roar, describing Arnold’s comments as “poor form”.
“Look, I’ve been away, if he said that that’s very disappointing,” he said before training at Pirtek Stadium.
“I’ve known Arnie a very long time. As a club we’re insulted by that, I’m insulted personally. For him to suggest that is completely out of order. We played a derby, it was a tough challenge, not a malicious challenge, and it’s very unfortunate the player got injured.
“We’ve got a player ourselves that’s got an ACL injury. We do not wish that upon anyone, and for Arnie to suggest that is a real insult to me.”
Sydney FC marquee signing Marc Janko also weighed in on the debate, taking aim at La Rocca on Twitter for high-fiving his teammate after injuring Abbas.
“That just don’t feel right and/or appropriate: giving high five to your teammate after you heavily injured another player! #shameonyoularocca,” Janko tweeted.
source: smh.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 