Brisbane Roar have ‘damaged the A-League’, says competition boss Greg O’Rourke

A-LEAGUE boss Greg O’Rourke says Brisbane have tarnished the brand of Australian club football after the shambolic events of the Roar’s loss to Ceres-Negros.

The Roar are still dealing with the fallout of the loss. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

A-LEAGUE boss Greg O’Rourke says Brisbane Roar have tarnished the brand of Australian club football.

O’Rourke’s blast came as the fallout continued from the disastrous and shambolic events of Tuesday night, when the Roar were beaten 3-2 by Filipino minnows Ceres-Negros in front of just 1279 fans at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.

The Roar playing group is understood to be furious with the club’s treatment of football director Craig Moore, who was made the scapegoat for the embarrassing “numbergate” affair in the same game.

The Roar are still dealing with the fallout of the loss. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Moore, who resigned last week but was due to remain at the club until mid-March at the request of coach John Aloisi to deal with the pressing matter of 17 players coming off contract, was put on gardening leave by vice-chairman Chris Fong.

Fong blamed the Socceroos stalwart for numbers peeling off the back of players’ jerseys and Eric Bautheac not having a second No.22 jersey in his kit, which led to the Frenchman having to wear a No.77 shirt taped up to make the sevens look likes twos before he was allowed back on the park.

That’s despite such jersey matters being the responsibility of kit manager Brody Sams.

It is understood Fong, chairman Rahim Soekasah and club owners the Bakrie Group were keen to get rid of Moore because of a story in The Courier-Mail last week citing Moore’s frustration with a lack of support from the board and owners had led to his resignation.

John Aloisi has said he won’t quit. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

With the Roar in free fall, O’Rourke has been in daily contact with the club’s managing director David Pourre since Tuesday night and will fly to Brisbane next weekend to meet with Pourre and Aloisi.

O’Rourke admitted he was disappointed with the way the club handled the situation with Moore and the farcical events of Tuesday night.

“The Roar have not only damaged their own brand, but also the brand of the A-League,” O’ Rourke said.

“The light has shone on Brisbane Roar and they have to make the decision on whether they ignore the light or deal with it.”

The Roar hope to end a horror week for the club on a positive note on Saturday night when they meet Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.

Brisbane have lost central defender Luke DeVere for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury, and Connor O’Toole has been sidelined with a foot injury.

Left back Corey Brown, who won’t be allowed to leave the Roar in the current transfer window to join Melbourne Victory, is poised to return from a hamstring injury.