- Melbourne City star Medin Memeti was under investigation
- Followed explosive claim from Brisbane Roar striker Justin Vidic
Football Australia has dismissed Brisbane Roar striker Justin Vidic’s bombshell claim that he was racially abused on the field by Melbourne City rival Medin Memeti.
Vidic alleged Memeti, 18, called him a ‘gypsy’ when the teams met at AAMI Park on January 6.
The Brisbane attacker is of Serbian descent, while Memeti has Albanian heritage.
It is understood the term ‘gypsy’ is considered an ethnic slur to a person of Balkan heritage.
Having investigated the incident, FA announced on Friday no action would be taken against Memeti.
‘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,’ an FA statement read.
Football Australia has dismissed Brisbane Roar striker Justin Vidic’s bombshell claim that he was racially abused on the field by Melbourne City rival Medin Memeti (pictured) in a recent A-League match
Vidic alleged that Memeti called him a ‘gypsy’, with the term considered an ethnic slur to a person of Balkan heritage
The Roar have accepted the outcome, but a club spokesman disputed FA’s declaration that some ‘initial claims’ had been withdrawn.
Meanwhile, rival coaches Ufuk Talay (Sydney FC) and Gary Van Egmond (Western Sydney Wanderers) will put aside their long-standing friendship ahead of the Sydney derby at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
The pair played together at famous National Soccer League (NSL) outfit Marconi Stallions, winning a title together in 1993.
But with derby bragging rights on the line, the coaches will be sworn enemies.
‘I think we all have white line fever, we want to win games,’ Talay said.
‘We’ve known each other for a long time…but once the whistle goes, our friendship ends.’
The Sky Blues have lost their last two matches, including a shock 4-0 defeat at the hands of Melbourne Victory on Australia Day.
Talay’s men are tipped to welcome back talisman Joe Lolley from injury.
Tickets are still available online for the Sydney derby, with kick-off at 7:35pm AEDT.
