A-League boss says spitting is a ‘bad look’ football can do without

A-LEAGUE boss Greg O’Rourke concedes the Avraam Papadopoulos spitting incident is a “bad look” Australian football can do without.

Avram Papadopoulos leaves the field after receiving a red card. Photo: Getty Images

• Big field eyes Ange's job but FFA in no hurry
• Matildas fire warning with China rout

A-LEAGUE boss Greg O’Rourke concedes the Avraam Papadopoulos spitting incident is a “bad look” Australian football can do without.

Roar defender Papadopoulos will be suspended for a least six matches after being sent off for spitting at Sydney striker Matt Simon in Brisbane’s 3-1 loss to the Sky Blues on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.

Avram Papadopoulos leaves the field after receiving a red card against Sydney FC. Photo: Getty Images

The six-game ban is consistent with the A-League disciplinary regulations for such an offence, although the match review panel has the power to give Papadopoulos a longer suspension.

And the former Greek international, who was distraught yesterday, will also be disciplined by the Roar.

The club’s managing director David Pourre and coach John Aloisi will meet with Papadopoulos on Monday.

O’Rourke expects the Roar to fine Papadopoulos or issue him some form of “community service”.

“I’m pleased with the way the Roar have dealt with it so far,” O’Rourke said.

“John Aloisi straight away in the tunnel after the match said the club did not condone the incident. They later put out a statement with Papadopoulos apologising.

“The good thing is there’s not one person trying to defend what he did.”

But while that might be “good”, O’Rourke said it was otherwise an incident the sport in Australia didn’t need.

“It’s a really bad look,” he said.

“We struggle as a code in this country when it comes to mainstream media coverage, but this will be jumped all over.

“We should be celebrating the Matildas playing against China this weekend rather than talking about this.”

O’Rourke was also disappointed by Simon retaliating, for which he too was sent off, to being spat at by Papadopoulos.

Sydney FC players point to the replay after a scuffle broke out when Matt Simon of claimed Avram Papadopoulos spat at him. Photo: AAP

“We can’t condone retaliation,” he said.

“He could have told the referee what had happened and it would have been dealt with in the same way by the video assistant referee.”

Simon is likely to only receive a one-game ban.

Should, as expected, Papadopoulos be suspended for six matches, he won’t be available for selection until the Roar’s January 8 clash against Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium.

It’s a ban the Roar didn’t need, with their defensive stocks already thinned by injury.

However, former Socceroos defender Jade North (pubic bone) may be fit enough to return this Saturday when the Roar visit ANZ Stadium to meet Western Sydney Wanderers.

There’s also a possibility centre-back Daniel Bowles, who recently came back from a knee reconstruction as an over-age player in the club’s youth team, could make a quicker than expected return to Brisbane’s A-League squad.

Bowles played 71 minutes in the Roar’s 4-1 National Youth League win over Melbourne Victory at Lanham Park yesterday.

Originally published as A-League boss says spitting is a ‘bad look’ football can do without