A-LEAGUE - AUSTRALIA

 

Awer Mabil not racially abused: Adelaide United CEO

Michael Petrillo said there was no racial abuse hurled at Awer Mabil when he stormed off AAMI Park on Friday night.

Petrillo says the club will not seek retribution after Mabil copped some alleged abuse from a fan during Adelaide’s 3-1 loss to Melbourne City.

The fan was ejected by Victoria Police after the incident according to Melbourne City officials.

“He (Mabil) said that he heard a fan say “f*** off go and go and have a cry with your family” or something like that more than anything else,’’ Petrillo said on Sunday.

“The comment had nothing to do with where he comes from and we’d obviously be the first ones to support him and we’d try to find out who it was and get them kicked out of the game for good.

“We told him if there is anything racist make sure 100 per cent because we’ll support you and follow it up with FFA and we’ll find out who the people are.

“But (Mabil) he told me “there was nothing racist I didn’t hear anything about my skin or my country or where I was born.”

It appears highly likely the alleged incident will warrant no further action unless the Melbourne City event manager or the commissioner are handed a formal complaint.

Mabil seemingly lost his temper in the 59th minute of the clash when he was booked for kicking an advertising sign, seconds after he was dragged for former Real Madrid player Miguel Palanca.

Mabil left the pitch at the opposite end of the coaches bench before he was subject to taunts during the long walk to the dressing room.

Petrillo says the club has now recommended all players who are substituted leave the pitch at the halfway line near the Reds bench to avoid potential flashpoints with fans.

But Mabil admitted to over reacting at the time before posting an apology on Twitter and Facebook which was later deleted Petrillo added.

“He later thought that (is was an over reaction),’’ Petrillo said.

“He wanted a free kick, they were losing the game and at the same time he was substituted and he was a bit upset with that.

“The crowd started heckling him and he’s got to be better and understand that sometimes it’s a part of football.

“But (coach) Josep Gombau has had a chat to him about it and a couple of senior players as well, he can get a bit firey sometimes but unfortunately that sort of stuff (heckling) you’re going to get throughout your career.

“He’s more upset at himself for reacting that way that he did.”

An Adelaide United member was banned for two years when he racially abused former Wellington Phoenix player Paul Ifill in December 2012.

A-League Ladder

		P	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	Perth	19	10	6	3	8	36
2	Melbourne Victory	18	9	6	3	15	33
3	Adelaide	19	10	3	6	13	33
4	Wellington	19	10	3	6	12	33
5	Sydney	19	8	8	3	9	32
6	Melbourne City	18	6	6	6	-4	24
7	Brisbane	17	6	4	7	-1	22
8	Central Coast	19	3	7	9	-16	16
9	Newcastle	19	1	8	10	-24	11
10	Western Sydney	17	1	5	11	-12	8

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