Saturday night time‘s fiery Sydney derby boiled over after the final whistle in a heated dressing room confrontation between Sydney FC coach Steve Corica and Western Sydney Wanderers star Milos Ninkovic.
Ninkovic, who joined the Wanderers this season after seven years and three A-League championships with the Sky Blues, was marched out of the Sydney change room following their 2-1 Elimination Final win over his Wanderers.
Wanderers coach Mark Rudan said he had not spoken with Ninkovic after the incident but told reporters: “From my understanding… Milos went in there to congratulate his old teammates and their coach didn’t recognize him being in there.
“Something occurred between these two which wasn’t nice, which was fairly fiery.”
Rudan added: “I think it all started in the game where I think their coach said something not very nice on the sideline to Milos. I think that’s where it started. But that’s football, these things kind of happen.”
Sydney coach Corica stated in his post-match press convention: “He simply come to want the gamers all the very best (and) have a very good season. So that‘s what he come in for.”
One reporter pointed out that Ninkovic appeared to be escorted out of the dressing room, with Corica remarking: “Well, he‘s just upset, obviously, losing the game.”
“Listen, he come to wish the players all the best for the remainder of the season. You know, we have issues with him, obviously, but that‘s all. That’s between me and him.”
Ninkovic received three A-League championships and premierships plus an FFA Cup in his seven seasons with the Sky Blues, with the Serbian worldwide scoring 41 occasions in 221 appearances earlier than his shock swap to the opposite aspect of the Sydney divide.
That ugly exit was marked by an unpleasant collection of claims and counterclaims across the failed negotiations for a one-year contract extension provide from Sydney.
The 38-year-old has claimed that Sydney’s provide was contingent on the Serbian gaining his Australian citizenship earlier than the season began (Ninkovic handed his citizenship check effectively earlier than that deadline, however was solely formally made an Australian citizen on Australia Day this 12 months).
Sydney FC’s personal allegation is that Ninkovic advised Corica he may play simply “20 or 30” minutes off the bench every week – one thing the participant has firmly denied.
“He’s the enemy now,” Corica stated again in November. “We have to treat him that way. It’s going to be hostile for Ninko. The fans loved him.”
There was actually no love misplaced on the sphere, with Ninkovic continually hassled and harried by his ex-teammates all through the sport, and the midfielder largely stored quiet by Luke Brattan.
Ninkovic was substituted halfway by means of the second half after selecting up a yellow card, with the Wanderers collapsing to a 2-1 defeat after main by means of a penalty late within the first half.
Originally printed as An ugly post-match confrontation marred Sydney FC’s A-League remaining victory
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
