A-League star Sam Cosgrove has bizarrely threatened to cut off a reporter’s access in a press conference meltdown over questions about him circumventing a red card suspension.
The 29-year-old English striker won the Golden Boot last season while representing Auckland FC on route to their Grand Final triumph.
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But he and club representatives reacted angrily to questions over the way he avoided a ban for a straight red card awarded against Al Ahli in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Cosgrove was expected to serve his two-game ban in the opening games of the A-League season, given the game he was penalised in was a FIFA-sanctioned match.
However he was controversially allowed to serve his ban in New Zealand’s National League where the club’s reserve side plays. The club is permitted to play two A-League professionals in the competition.
In the process Cosgrove technically served the ban against Wellington Olympic on September 27 and Miramar Rangers on October 3.
When questioned by Kiwi reporter Andrew Voerman on Thursday, club officials and Cosgrove both took umbrage.
“Andrew, there are rules. They’re known as the rules,” club CEO Nick Becker is heard saying.
“Do you want to see the letter from FIFA, Andrew? Like saying it’s absolutely fine.
“Yeah, absolutely fine with it. So are FIFA, so are Football Australia, so are Football New Zealand. So you’re the only person who’s got a problem with it.”
The reporter responds: “It’s rubbish, mate. He hasn’t served a ban. He’s got a two-match ban and he hasn’t served it.”
Cosgrove butts in to add: “What are you doing here then? Just bugger off. If you’re gonna talk s***…”
“You know what football’s like in this country, mate. We f***ng work hard to get it good. You bring it down with s**t like that.”
The reporter appears to laugh in response, to which Cosgrove adds: “Why are you laughing for? We’ll just f*** you off. You won’t get back here again.”
The media manager then appears to try and separate the player and reporter saying “both of you just leave it” as Cosgrove angrily added “you’re supposed to be an independent journalist”.