Arnold is not happy with some Wanderers players, in particular Iacopo La Rocca.
Sydney FC manager Graham Arnold has claimed two Western Sydney Wanderers players “high-fived” as Ali Abbas was carried off the ground with a knee injury that will see him out for 15 months.
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The Sky Blues boss was livid that Wanderers player Iacopo La Rocca was not cautioned for his two challenges on Abbas early in Saturday’s Sydney derby.
“The same player nailed him twice in three minutes and on the wide angle vision, when Ali’s getting carried off by the physio and the doctor, two players high-fived,” Arnold is quoted as saying by AAP.
La Rocca told SBS post-game that he had no intention to injure Abbas.
“I am not a dirty player and I did not intend to hurt Ali,” La Rocca said.
“Yes, I went into the challenge aggressively but with fair intentions as I always do because that’s the type of player I am and that’s how I play my football.”
Scans revealed Abbas suffered tears to both the anterior cruciate ligament and medial ligamnent, whilst also damaging the capsule at the back of his left knee.
Abbas is unable to undergo surgery for 8-10 weeks until parts of the damage heal.
Arnold is expected to dip into the transfer market to cover Abbas and also Corey Gameiro, who ruptured his ACL whilst on Olyroos duty last month.