John Aloisi is the luckiest player in the A-League. Not only is he now the richest player of any football code in Australia after signing a lucrative 2-year deal with Sydney FC, he is also extremely fortunate to be available for the first part of the A-League Version 4.
Weeks have passed since the A-League finale, and the inexcusable verbal abuse that Aloisi directed at one of referee Mark Shield's assistants has barely caused a ripple amongst the Australian football fraternity.
Even the most unqualified lip-reader is able to understand Aloisi's remarks, in which he accused a linesman of being a "f***ing cheat", after having a late penalty shout turned down. With the aid of replay footage, it is clear that Aloisi's appeal was more in hope, as he went down under minimal contact. Yet, despite being frustrated with the 0-1 scoreline, there should be no grounds for aiming such a torrent of invective at a match official.
Aloisi is lucky that one of his former teammates, Danny Vukovic, took his abuse a step further by striking Shield after the Mariners were denied a clearer penalty in second-half stoppage time. He consequently incurred a nine-month suspension, as well as national condemnation for his actions
The A-League Grand Final attracts a 50,000-plus crowd each year, as well as hundreds of thousands of fans watching on television, both in Australia and throughout the world. With the rapid growth of football in Australia, particularly amongst Australian youths, it is probable that many young players and supporters alike would have tuned in for the country's showpiece game. But apart from the match itself being quite tame, witnessing a seasoned, fifteen-year professional vulgarly launch into a linesman sets a terrible example for these spectators, and hardly endears our game to the international audience.
When the Central Coast Mariners announced Aloisi's shock signing in October 2007, A-League fans from across Australia rejoiced the return of a national hero. He rightfully gained a huge reputation after scoring the famous penalty that sent Australia to the World Cup in 2006, and perhaps this reputation has saved him from greater scrutiny over this incident, both from the media and match review panel.
It is particularly strange that Aloisi escaped punishment when an identical incident occurred barely twelve months ago. After Adelaide United booked its place in last season's grand final courtesy of a penalty shootout win over Newcastle, its then-coach John Kosmina (now Aloisi's new coach at Sydney FC), made an identical comment toward referee Matthew Breeze. Kosmina's antics were not tolerated, and he subsequently received a five-match touchline ban, which included the humiliation of watching his side's 6-0 defeat in the Grand Final from an AFL coaches box.
Aloisi received no such penalty. In fact, he didn’t even cop a slap on the wrist, let alone a fine or, like Kosmina, a suspension. The Federation has thus condoned the actions of Aloisi, which in turn establishes a troubling precedent for the future of the Australian game. There is absolutely no reason for players to receive more favourable treatment than managers. Player dissent is rampant throughout the world of football, and we have just seen a prime example of it in Australia, and we have failed to impose any sort of sanction.
Officials have the toughest job on the pitch, knowing that any time they blow their whistle for a foul, they're certain to incur the wrath of at least a few thousand irate supporters. But it’s the players who should be setting quality examples for our young players, and conducting themselves in an appropriate manner.
Aloisi may now enjoy the tag of being the highest-paid footballer in Australia, but with that surely comes an element of responsibility to his fans, sponsors and his club. Right now, however, he should just be counting his lucky stars that he will be able to start next season's A-League with his new teammates.
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