Police involved after Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners clash
Comment has been sought from NSW police.
Roar coach Michael Valkanis walks towards the tunnel after receiving his second yellow card at Gosford on New Year’s Eve.Credit: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images
Valkanis received a yellow card during first-half stoppage time for his behavior on the sideline. After receiving his first yellow card, Valkanis sarcastically applauded referee Alex King, and received his second yellow card and was shown a red card.
He said after the match that he was surprised to see red.
“Sometimes I think this is the perfect opportunity to silence me because I voiced my opinion on some decisions,” he said at a media conference.
“I’ve said it before, sometimes the referees like to give me cards. It’s okay, it won’t stop who I am because the game is about emotion. The game is about passion.”
“And if you’re going to act like a wet fish and not realize it while the game is going on, what are you doing as part of it? Maybe we need more passion in this league.”
“Maybe that’s what’s missing.”
Moon did not shy away from his former club, which he said he has been “proudly” loyal to for more than 20 years.
“What happened in the tunnel at half-time tonight and afterwards was disgraceful,” he said.
“… If someone is expelled, of course he has to vacate.
“I won’t go into detail other than to say that I’m really disappointed with what I’ve seen from the opposition team’s behavior tonight.”
Moon said he was confident that what he saw “will come out in the wash.”
With Valkanis sent to the stands for the second half, Roar assistant coach Borja Lema took charge of the Queenslanders.
The match looked set to end in a 1-1 draw until James O’Shea’s pass in the second minute of stoppage time found Justin Vidic at the far post, who headed the ball past former Soccereroo goalkeeper and honorary “Grey Wiggle” Andrew Redmayne.
