Celebrations for Miron Bleiberg's 100th A-League game as coach may be shortlived, with the outspoken Gold Coast United mentor facing a suspended ban on Saturday.
Bleiberg was expected to learn his fate over last round's controversial post-match outburst on Friday - just hours before he was set to mark his impressive milestone against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.
However, Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirmed findings on Bleiberg's rant would be revealed on Saturday - but it had nothing to do with the colourful mentor's looming milestone.
Bleiberg joins the 100-game club along with Ernie Merrick, Lawrie McKinna and Ricki Herbert, but he is the only A-League foundation coach still standing.
Bleiberg has already issued an apology in a bid to try and explain Sunday's outburst in which he not only claimed "homey" referee Peter Green favoured hosts Sydney FC but also hinted that the FFA were intent on ensuring the Sky Blues were successful.
Bleiberg vented his spleen after his team led 2-0 only to lose following a stoppage time penalty.
He tried to further explain the frustration behind his outburst after arriving in Adelaide.
"Forget the issue about the penalty - right or wrong - and the referee, I was a bit disappointed that up to 2-0 everything went to plan ... then we entered into fright mode and we stopped playing ... and hence the result," Bleiberg told the Gold Coast website.
"We have to improve on that part of our game ... not just protect our lead.
"I always say if you make a mistake - and even if you pay for it and get punished - the most important thing is that you learn from it and you are not repeating it."
Meanwhile, Adelaide United defender Antony Golec will not play this weekend as part of his penalty for a homophobic slur on Twitter against A-League referee Ben Williams.
Golec has received a three-match ban, which has been suspended for the second and third games.
He is not allowed to play in either United's A-League clash on Friday night or in the National Youth League fixture on Sunday - both against Gold Coast United.
A ban for the further two games will be triggered if Golec breaches the code of conduct again during the season or fails to undergo "appropriate counseling and education" by March 11.
"Adelaide United FC is tasked with ensuring that this is carried out in an appropriate manner," a Football Federation Australia statement said.
"Compliance with this requirement, and accordingly whether the two-match suspension will be triggered, shall be determined by FFA in its sole discretion."
Golec, 21, has apologised for his "foolish" Twitter posts about Williams, who came in for heavy criticism after issuing red cards to Melbourne Victory players Ante Covic and Matthew Foschini in the first half of the 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar last round.
Golec has written a letter of apology to Williams, while Adelaide have warned the young defender his contract will be ripped up if he transgresses again.
AAP
Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia First posted November 11, 2011 18:28:36
No comments:
Post a Comment