Sydney FC defender Shannon Cole has accepted an internal fine from the club, following an incident late in the Sky Blues’ scoreless draw with Gold Coast United at Skilled Park on Sunday.
Sydney FC defender Shannon Cole has accepted an internal fine from the club, following an incident late in the Sky Blues’ scoreless draw with Gold Coast United at Skilled Park on Sunday.
Cole went down in the penalty area in the 93rd minute under pressure from United midfielder Peter Jungschlager, and on Monday morning admitted there was only minimal contact between the pair.
“I acknowledge that we have a policy of no diving and we all support the club-s stance on this matter,” Cole said via the club.
“I knew I did the wrong thing as soon as I hit the ground so I got up without asking for a penalty and ran straight back into position. I was expecting to be fouled when he came across but after going to the ground I realised straight away he had not fouled me.”
Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton backed Cole-s move to publicly accept the censure.
“Shannon has shown integrity and honesty in putting his hand straight up and admitting he did the wrong thing,” Melton said.
“As a club we all support the “No Diving Policy” and Shannon has been courageous enough to acknowledge his actions were wrong and accepted the punishment.”
