Football Australia has cleared Melbourne City forward Medin Memeti following an investigation into allegations of on-field racial abuse during a recent A-League match.
Details of the Incident
The probe stemmed from a claim by Brisbane Roar striker Justin Vidic, who alleged that the 18-year-old Memeti directed an ethnic slur at him. The incident reportedly occurred on January 6 at AAMI Park, where Memeti, of Albanian heritage, allegedly called Vidic, who is of Serbian descent, a ‘gypsy.’ This term is widely regarded as derogatory toward individuals of Balkan background.
After a thorough review, Football Australia announced on Friday that no further action will be taken against Memeti. The decision highlights the challenges in substantiating such claims without supporting evidence.
Official Statement and Club Response
In its official statement, Football Australia explained: “Based on the withdrawal of some initial claims and no additional witness accounts or material to support the allegations, there was insufficient evidence to establish a breach of the national code of conduct and ethics.”
Brisbane Roar has accepted the outcome of the investigation. However, a club spokesperson contested the reference to withdrawn initial claims, emphasizing the team’s commitment to addressing discrimination in the sport.
Upcoming Sydney Derby Adds Intensity
Meanwhile, attention shifts to the A-League’s heated Sydney derby, where coaches Ufuk Talay of Sydney FC and Gary Van Egmond of Western Sydney Wanderers prepare to set aside their longstanding friendship. The pair, who once teamed up to win a title with the National Soccer League’s Marconi Stallions in 1993, will go head-to-head at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Talay acknowledged the competitive nature of the matchup, stating: “I think we all have white line fever, we want to win games. We’ve known each other for a long time… but once the whistle goes, our friendship ends.”
Sydney FC enters the game on a two-match losing streak, including a surprising 4-0 defeat to Melbourne Victory on Australia Day. The team anticipates the return of key player Joe Lolley from injury, which could bolster their lineup.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:35pm AEDT, with tickets still available online for fans eager to witness the rivalry unfold.
