A furious Awer Mabil says the comments directed at him by Sydney FC defender Nikola Petkovic on Saturday night were not racist but they still upset the Adelaide United youngster.
Mabil came on for the injured Osama Malik at half-time in the Hyundai A-League semi-final between the Sky Blues and the Reds at Allianz Stadium.
MATCH REPORT: Sydney FC v Adelaide United
The 19-year-old was embroiled in a heated exchange with left back Petkovic, who helped Graham Arnold’s hosts record a comprehensive 4-1 win, putting an end to Adelaide’s title hopes.
Young Socceroo Mabil has since confirmed there was no racial element to the verbals unleashed by the Serbian defender, who was spoken to by Sydney FC CEO Tony Pignata after the game.
“Yeah, he [Petkovic] was saying stuff that I didn’t like,” Mabil told reporters after the game.
Asked what exactly was said the exciting young winger was tight-lipped.
“I can’t say, but it was bad,” Mabil, clearly upset, said.
“You don’t slag off any player, you just play the game. You don’t do it about our families because we go out there to represent our families.
“But not abusing other people. He came out and said something…
“I don’t care… We just wait for next season. And good luck to them in the final.”
Mabil added he wouldn’t report the verbals to the FFA.
“No, I don’t care,” he said when quizzed on taking it to the governing body.
“Obviously he said it to me so I’m just keeping it to me and hopefully next time we play I score against him.
“We’ll see…”
