Sydney FC player says he was racially abused
SYDNEY (AP) — Sydney FC midfielder Ali Abbas has accused unnamed Western Sydney Wanderers players of racially, religiously and culturally abusing him during Saturday's A-League match won 3-1 by Sydney FC.
The Iraqi-born player told a television interviewer after the match that "we are not here to attack religion or culture; we are here to play football ... I come from a different country, I respect everyone here. I should get it back."
On Sunday, Football Federation Australia said in a statement that Sydney FC indicated it would lodge a formal complaint, and that the claims would be investigated by a league tribunal or through mediation.
Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata said Abbas "was obviously very unhappy after the game ... with what happened. "
