Central Coast Mariners interim coach Warren Moon has blasted his former club Brisbane for the “conduct” of their staff, which led to police involvement during Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss in Gosford — earning an angry response from the Roar, which said Moon’s spray was “inappropriate, irresponsible, and unsupported by any facts”.
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The fiery New Year’s Eve encounter saw the Roar bench receive three yellow cards in the space of five minutes including a second yellow to coach Michael Valkanis.
Roar performance coach Carlo Chincarini was the first to receive a yellow card before Valkanis received back-to-back yellows in the space of 10 seconds.
Valkanis responded to the first yellow by clapping at referee Alex King, which led to the second card and send off in the second minute of added time.
Drama then spilled over to the tunnel soon at halftime where an altercation supposedly took place requiring the police to get involved. Mariners sporting director and club great Matt Simon was seen angrily remonstrating during the incident.
“The game wasn’t done, there was plenty to play for, the coach was sent off, that’s not a player, there is no disadvantage to the playing team,” Moon said.
“It was a time for cool heads and the opposite happened to the point where there was police in the tunnel during halftime.
“I’m quite bemused by it all to be perfectly honest.”
Moon said what he saw was a “disgrace” from the Roar who he formerly coached.
“Firstly, proudly a Brisbane Roar player and coach, and been associated with the club for 20 years, and look, I’m just going to be honest and say, what I witnessed tonight was a disgrace,” he said on Paramount in post-match coverage.
“They’re strong words, and I wish them all the best, they got the points tonight and they are doing really well and I wish them all the success for the future but that was an embarrassment tonight, what happened before halftime and then halftime in the tunnel.
“I don’t think that’s a true representation of Brisbane Roar Football Club.”
Moon claimed “police was called” but was reluctant to reveal exactly what he was disappointed in, saying “the details aren’t for television” to expert Andy Harper.
“I’m not going to go into the details except to say I’m really disappointed with what I saw from the conduct of the opposition staff tonight,” he said.
“I think there is a responsibility to the game and to people, to both sets of supporters, fans, people inside the room.
“There’s volunteers in there that were in the middle of something that they didn’t deserve to be involved in.”
The Mariners lost after a goal from Justin Vidic in the second minute of added time.
The 43-year-old Moon spent time at the Roar as a player and coach, making 16 appearances for the club between 2005 and 2006. He went on to coach the Queensland outfit between 2020 and 2023, qualifying for the finals twice.
The Roar issued a robust response on New Year’s Day.
“Brisbane Roar Football Club is aware of comments made by the Central Coast Mariners’ interim head coach following last night’s match which publicly insinuated serious misconduct by the Club and its staff,” their statement said.
“Those comments were inappropriate, irresponsible, and unsupported by any facts.
“At no time did Brisbane Roar Football Club, its officials, or its coaching staff engage in conduct that brought the game into disrepute. Any suggestion otherwise is categorically rejected.
“The public reference to police involvement was also misleading. Police were already present at the venue as part of routine match‑day operations, and no conduct by Brisbane Roar Football Club or its personnel required police intervention.
“Senior figures within the game have a responsibility to ensure that public commentary is accurate, fair, and does not make or imply serious allegations without foundation. That standard was not met on this occasion.
“Given the seriousness of the insinuations made and the reputational harm caused to the Club, Brisbane Roar Football Club is seeking legal advice in relation to the comments made by the opposing interim head coach, and is considering all available options.”
Valkanis also spoke out post-match, saying he was surprised by the sending off.
“I was a little bit surprised I got a red card but sometimes I feel like it was a perfect chance to probably shut me up because I have voiced my opinion about the VAR and about some decisions,” he said.
“I have said it before, sometimes the referees feel good giving a card to me, that’s ok.
“It’s not going to stop who I am.
“The games about emotion, it is about passion and if you are going to be a wet fish and not understand that while the games going on, what are you doing being a part of it.
“Maybe we need more passion in this league, maybe that’s what’s missing.
“We have become very robotic and everyone just plays the same way, talks the same way.”
Valkanis was pleased with his side’s efforts and said they will keep competing the same way.
“A lot of people don’t like what the Roar are doing, don’t like seeing the Roar up there,” he said.
“And we brought the Roar back into Brisbane and we love it.
“We’re going to continue fighting the same way and playing our brand of football with our identity and even dominating with the ball like we did today.”
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