Football Australia has issued a show cause notice to Western Sydney Wanderers FC head coach Marko Rudan after he criticized the officiating in their recent A-League Men loss to Macarthur. Rudan's post-match comments, which included confronting referee Adam Kersey, have caught the attention of FA and could result in a reprimand, fine, or suspension.
Rudan expressed frustration with several incidents during the match, particularly highlighting the decision to show a straight red card to Wanderers defender Tom Beadling while Macarthur forward Valere Germain remained on the field after an altercation with Beadling. Beadling himself has been given a three-game suspension by FA.
'The game changed on its head with the red card and everything else,' Rudan stated. 'In the last two weeks, I've had two players who are not synonymous for making fouls or being dirty, yet (get) straight reds. For the life of me, how Germain stays on the pitch when he kicks at my player in that first half, I have absolutely no idea.'
While FA acknowledged that Germain should have received a yellow card for his actions, the head of referees, Nathan Magill, explained that it did not warrant a red card since Germain's studs did not make contact with Beadling's body, deeming it not to be violent conduct.
Another controversial moment in the match involved Germain's match-winning strike, with no clear-cut angle to confirm if the ball had crossed the line. Attempts to seek clarification from the Australian Professional Leagues, responsible for broadcasting footage, provided no response.
Rudan went on to express his frustration with what he believes is a 'stigma' surrounding the Wanderers, alleging that the club's fans have lost trust in the competition. 'The more we try to push forward as a football club and try to be as successful as it was back in the day, it seems to me as though nobody wants to see it happen. I'm just sick and tired of the decisions that continually go against us. I shut my mouth for a long time.'
He also expressed his disappointment in how the club and its fans have been treated, claiming that since the inception of the Wanderers, a stigma has formed, leading to a loss of trust in the league.
In another incident, Melbourne City midfielder Tolgay Arslan has been charged by Football Australia for alleged verbal abuse of a match official. Arslan received a straight red card from referee Shane Skinner after their A-League Men loss to Perth Glory. FA's match review panel cited Arslan for the 'use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against a match official.' The severity of the alleged outburst has led to Arslan being referred straight to FA's disciplinary and ethics committee, suggesting a potential suspension of more than one game.
If the ban is upheld, Melbourne City will face difficulties as they navigate a crucial period in their campaign without the services of Arslan, a key midfield player.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding officiating decisions in football matches. It also raises questions about the transparency and consistency of disciplinary actions taken by Football Australia. As the governing body, FA faces the difficult task of ensuring fairness and maintaining the trust of both clubs and fans.
