Santalab denies racially abusing Abbas in Sydney derby

Yahoo7

9 March 2014 at 6:52 pm

Wanderers striker Brendon Santalab has denied racially abusing Sky Blues midfielder Ali Abbas during the heated A-League Sydney derby on Saturday night.

Football Federation Australia has confirmed Abbas will lodge a formal complaint in relation to an alleged incident from the match at Allianz Stadium.

Abbas was visibly agitated during the game and claimed during a post-match interview that he was racially abused.

The alleged perpetrator and what was said remains unclear, but Abbas had several heated exchanges with Santalab during and after the match.

No specific allegation against Santalab has been made and the Western Sydney striker said the furious exchanges between himself and Abbas were simply the latest chapter in their spiteful history.

"There was nothing, it was just a normal chat with Ali," Santalab told Fairfax.

"(There was) some emotion and frustration through the game. These things happen.

"I was unhappy in the last derby. He's unhappy this time, so it makes it one-one."

Santalab said the exchange should stay between the players.

Abbas had to be restrained by his teammates after the match. Source: Getty

"Whatever happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch," he said.

"And that's how I've always been, and that's how it is."

News Ltd is reporting that Iraqi-born Abbas told his Sydney FC teammates Santalab had called him a highly derogatory term in reference to his ethnicity and Muslim religion.

While not naming any players, Abbas made it clear that he believed he was racially abused.

Sydney FC coach Frank Farina was caught up in the drama. Source: Getty

"We are not here to attack religion or culture, we are here to play football," he told Fox Sports after the match.

"I come from a different country, I respect everyone here. I should get it back. If I don’t get it back, I’m going to attack. That’s what happened. If people attack religion, if people attack culture — I’m against that. We need to stop that."

Sydney FC striker Corey Gameriro may be called as a witness in the case after he tweeted after the game that he was "disgusted to what I heard tonight!!! #SAYNOTORACISM."

News Ltd is reporting the Wanderers’ new owners will consider the future of any player found guilty of racial abuse.