Former Socceroo Danny Tiatto is set to come under scrutiny for an offensive gesture to booing fans which was televised nationally during the Brisbane Roar’s 2-1 A-League loss to Melbourne Victory.
Roar midfielder Tiatto flipped his middle finger while his image was being shown on the Etihad Stadium big screen on Saturday night in reaction to opposition fans breaking into a chorus of boos.
But the pictures were also being broadcast live on Fox Sports at the time, which is likely to provoke a “please explain” at the least from A-League officials, who could take disciplinary action.
Tiatto had minutes earlier been shown a yellow card for a crude bodycheck on Victory’s ex-Brisbane winger Robbie Kruse to earn the ire of Melbourne’s supporters.
But the majority of the 20,000-strong crowd went home happy after Victory defender Adrian Leijer scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute to lift Melbourne to the top of the table.
Leijer bundled a Carlos Hernandez free-kick in from close range for the champions’ third successive win.
The Victory had created the better chances in an entertaining match, taking the lead after just four minutes when striker Ney Fabiano headed home an Archie Thompson cross.
But the Roar equalised just seven minutes later, when striker Reinaldo slid a finish past Victory keeper Glen Moss.
Melbourne hit the woodwork twice in the first half through Thompson and Fabiano, while Thompson also squandered another chance late in the half with a weak finish.
The Victory will at least lead the A-League until Monday, when Sydney FC and Central Coast will have the chance to leapfrog them should either win their clash at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Brisbane’s difficult night was made worse with confirmation exciting Brazilian attacker Henrique could be sidelined for up to two months with a knee injury.
Henrique was hit heavily in a Leijer challenge prior to the defender’s goal, with Roar coach Frank Farina confirming he would be out for between six and eight weeks.
But Farina said the scoreline was a fair reflection of the match, admitting the Victory were the better side.
“We had some chances but I felt especially in that second half we were inviting trouble on occasions and they eventually punished us,” Farina said.
“We weren’t poor, but probably didn’t play in the manner which we can play.”
Victory coach Ernie Merrick said it was heartening his players were now making the most of their opportunities in front of goal – something they struggled to do early in the season.
“It was a good 92-minute performance and the scoreline could have been even better,” Merrick said.
“We’re taking our chances, there’s more and more people getting involved in scoring goals.
“There was some terrific interplay among the strikers, especially in the first half.”
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