Football Australia is expected to investigate an allegation that Brisbane Roar striker Justin Vidic was racially abused by highly-rated Melbourne City youngster Medin Memeti.
Tempers flared in Tuesday night’s A-League Men clash at AAMI Park, where Memeti and Vidic were part of an all-in melee late in City’s 1-0 win.
There were also unsavoury scenes after fulltime, with Roar coach Michael Valkanis and City chief executive Brad Rowse in an on-field spat after City claimed a spiteful victory. But AAP understands FA is set to take a closer look at complaints that Vidic, who is of Serbian descent, was racially abused by Memeti. The City forward, who is of Albanian heritage, is accused of calling Vidic a “gypsy”, a term that has derogatory connotations in the Balkan region.
– Western United set to receive financial lifeline
– Ten A-League Men players eyeing a January transfer to Europe
– Ex-Fremantle Dockers boss Steve Rosich named new A-League CEO
Vidic was seen remonstrating with Memeti at fulltime as tensions threatened to boil over and interrupt City coach Aurelio Vidmar’s post-game interview on Network Ten. In his own post-match interview, Memeti downplayed the head-to-head and said Vidic was “a bit cut ’cause he lost”.
Tensions boiled over during Melbourne City’s win over Brisbane Roar. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Memeti has made 10 starts for City in the A-League and Asian Champions League this season, and was part of the Young Socceroos side that won last year’s Under-20 Asian Cup.
If there is sufficient evidence to support the allegations against Memeti, the City teenager could be hauled in front of FA’s disciplinary and ethics committee for the use of discriminatory language.
That could leave Memeti facing a lengthy suspension. There is a precedent of punishment for the use of the term “gypsy” as a racial slur in the A-League.
In 2017, while playing for City, goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, who was in goals for Brisbane on Tuesday, used the insult in a confrontation with Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha.
Bouzanis claimed he was unaware of the connotations of the term and offered a personal apology to Berisha after the Kosovan forward made a complaint. Bouzanis was slapped with a five-game suspension.
Contacted by AAP, Melbourne City declined to comment.
