Football Australia has launched a formal investigation into allegations that Melbourne City's rising talent, Medin Memeti, racially abused Brisbane Roar striker Justin Vidic during a heated A-League match. The incident occurred during a fiery encounter between the two sides on January 6 at AAMI Park.
Details of the Alleged On-Field Incident
The accusation centres on an alleged comment made by Memeti, who is of Albanian heritage, towards Vidic, who is of Serbian background, during a late-game melee in Melbourne City's 1-0 victory. It is claimed Memeti used the term 'gypsy', a slur with deeply derogatory connotations in the Balkan region. The confrontation spilled over after the final whistle, with a furious Vidic seen remonstrating with Memeti, nearly interrupting a post-match television interview.
Club and FA Response to the Allegations
Melbourne City coach Aurelio Vidmar confirmed on Friday that Memeti remains available for selection while the FA's inquiry is ongoing. When questioned about the situation, Vidmar stated, 'The process is with the FA,' adding he had not spoken to the player about it as there was 'no need to'. Brisbane Roar chief executive Kaz Patafta also confirmed the investigation, noting the club takes such matters seriously and is working to ascertain the facts. He revealed that Melbourne City's chair had reached out for discussions.
In his own post-match comments, Memeti downplayed the clash, suggesting Vidic was upset due to the loss. Coach Vidmar claimed he was unaware of the specifics of the altercation happening behind him during his interview.
Potential Consequences and Historical Precedent
If the FA's investigation finds sufficient evidence to support the allegations, Young Socceroo Memeti could be referred to the governing body's disciplinary and ethics committee. The potential sanction for using discriminatory language is significant. In a notable precedent from 2017, then-Melbourne City goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis received a five-match suspension for directing the same insult at Besart Berisha, then of Melbourne Victory.
The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched, as Football Australia continues to stress its zero-tolerance stance on racial abuse within the sport. For now, Memeti is expected to be in contention for City's next fixture against Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Sunday.
