Sydney FC CEO Tony Pignata continues to support Graham Arnold over ‘criminal’ comments

TONY Pignata has continued to back Graham Arnold after the Sydney FC coach was reprimanded by the FFA over comments he made following the Sky Blues’ loss to Adelaide.

TONY Pignata has continued to back Graham Arnold after the Sydney FC coach was reprimanded by Football Federation Australia over comments he made following the Sky Blues’ Round 10 loss to Adelaide United.

In his submission to FFA, Arnold said he labelled the manner of the defeat “criminal” and insisted the word was not directed towards referee Strebre Delovski, who awarded the Reds a late penalty.

However, A-League boss Damien De Bohun says the context in which it was said, “impugned the integrity and character of the match official”.

Sydney players Matthewe Jurman (L) and Mickael Tavares plead with referee Strebre Delovski. Picture: Sarah Reed.

As a result, Arnold has been issued with a formal reprimand over two breaches of the FFA’s National Code of Conduct.

“If Graham was intending to express disappointment about losing a match when down to 10 players, he was not clear about that and in any event there are many other ways to convey that feeling,” De Bohun said.

“FFA has a formal policy which gives A-League coaches latitude to make comments on a wide range of issues, including refereeing decisions. The important distinction is that a coach can criticise a decision and give reason, but must not impugn the character of the match official making the call. It’s quite clear cut.”

While Arnold has escaped a touchline ban ahead of Sydney’s match against the Central Coast Mariners this weekend, the club’s CEO Pignata is still disappointed with the outcome, but has vowed to move on from the incident.

“We maintain that in no way was his use of the word “criminal” directed at the match official and was solely used to reflect how he felt the game had been snatched away in the final seconds, with the team having fought for over an hour with only ten men,” Pignata said.

“In over 20 years of international and senior coaching Graham’s integrity has never been questioned.

“Graham is a passionate and honest person and we believe he did not impugn the character of referee Strebre Delovski with his comments and support him fully in his submission to FFA.

“We accept their decision of no fine and no suspension and we now wish to focus on our home game with the Central Coast Mariners on Boxing Day.”

Originally published as Sydney FC CEO Tony Pignata continues to support Graham Arnold over ‘criminal’ comments