WELLINGTON Phoenix captain Andrew Durante faces a hefty fine and the Kiwis will appeal against Ben Sigmund's sending-off as the fallout from Saturday's controversial loss to Adelaide United boiled over and threatened to overshadow a remarkable opening to round four of the A-League.
A little under 24 hours after Emile Heskey set the competition alight with a brace in Newcastle's win over Melbourne Victory on Friday night and on the same day Western Wanderers notched their historic first win, the talking point is all about the Reds' 3-1 win at Hindmarsh Stadium in a game that sparked stunning claims of cheating.
An incensed Durante let out his emotions in no uncertain terms, labelling United striker Jeronimo Neumann "a diver and a cheat" in an after-match, on-field interview with Fox Sports.
Wellington was behind 2-1 when referee Jarred Gillett ruled that Phoenix defender Sigmund was the last line of defence when he brought down the Argentine striker on the edge of the penalty area in the 77th minute. The visitors were forced to play the last 13 minutes with 10 men and Neumann capitalised to score the clincher in the 84th minute.
Television replays showed there was minimal, if any, contact in the incident with Sigmund. Social media websites were in overdrive on Saturday and yesterday, condemning Neumann for his alleged dive.
"We got a few tough decisions against us," Durante said minutes after the full-time whistle. "I think the first one was offside from what I saw, the second one he's dived. He's a cheat.
"In my book, if he's dived, he's a cheat. I think the referees were shocking tonight.
"To end the game with a referee's decision like that . . . I mean, that linesman on that far side did nothing to help this game. I thought it was extremely poor."
Durante was also angry over the decision to allow Brazilian Cassio's 67th-minute goal that put the home team up 2-1. Playing his 100th game for the club, he made a wonderful 40m solo run before playing a one-two with Neumann then putting the ball away. But the Kiwis were up in arms, claiming Neumann had been offside.
Durante's outburst is certain to bring a Football Federation Australia charge for bringing the game into disrepute.
Phoenix later issued a press release confirming it would challenge Sigmund's sending-off.
After watching video footage of the Sigmund incident, Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert said the club would ask for a review of the red card.
"I think we have to look at that," Herbert said.
The Phoenix boss would not be drawn into a definitive answer when quizzed by the media over suggestions Neumann had dived.
"If you have seen the same footage as we have, then you should make up your own mind," he said.
While the focus will be on Durante and his comments, Neumann could also find himself in trouble if he is found to have dived.
Some A-League clubs, including Sydney FC, have a policy of fining their own players if they deem that they have dived in any situation during a game, while FFA is certain to take a close look at the incident.
Gillett, last season's A-League referee of the year, is no stranger to controversy. He was at the centre of drama in the grand final last season when he awarded a contentious last-minute penalty that allowed Brisbane Roar to win the title.
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