As if the drama of A-League finals weren’t enough, Sydney FC must now play their do-or-die clash against the Wellington Phoenix without goalkeeper Liam Reddy, who was expected to start on the bench for tomorrow night’s match.
The star goalkeeper was sent home in disgrace from the camp in Wellington for reportedly being drunk on the team flight over to New Zealand.
Reddy will be suspended by the club until at least next week, where they will then decide his fate. He has also been issued a breach notice by the A-League for breaching Section 6.1 of the National Code of Conduct.
Sydney FC have issued a brief statement stating the nature of the incident, but refusing to comment on any other aspect of the issue.
Liam Reddy is currently one of the most discussed topics on Twitter in Sydney, as disgruntled fans share their disappointment in the goalkeeper.
He will be replaced by Ryan Norval on the bench, who was part of Sydney’s Round 3 win over Adelaide United.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
One report this morning said he was drinking lager, and vodka and orange, on the flight and was well away by the time it reached Wellington at midnight local time. This episode is curious. Flying cattle class (I presume Sydney FC don't fly business class or first class) means being squeezed in like sardines _ or even cattle. I'm presuming, again, that the players travel together and are not isolated from each other in the cabin. So how then did Reddy manage to sink a few without his teammates noticing? You have to think if they had noticed, the would have told him to pull his head in. Perhaps they were too precoccupied with their iPods, iPads, Smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, Gibber, Dribble, or the in-flight movie. Reddy has no excuses, but how was this allowed to happen?
Kasey
Guest
Allegedly one alcoholic beverage, hardly drunk, but hardly ideal preparation for a pro footballer either. Drunk?? that must be the DT's default position on an athlete drinking a beer after all of its years of stellar NRL coverage. Not a good look for Reddy, where is his contract at? could be looking for a new employer soon?
Major Coronary
Guest
He would have been in the pre-game sessions, making practice more effective for players who are getting a go.
Titus
Guest
Meh, a) he's a goalie b) he was never likely to see any game time. I would probably be doing the same in Liams position.
Ballymore
Guest
Haha, very good.
Stevo
Guest
Wot a bunch of wowsers SFC are. What happened to the great Aussie tradition of sinking beers on an OS trip. Take for example the 1977 Australian Ashes cricket heading for London. from http://www.cricketweb.net/forum/cricket-chat/17525-all-time-boozers-xi.html "Kerry O'Keefe reveals how a great tradition was born..... " "Doug Walters with 44 cans is declared our champion! Marsh is second with 43 and subsequently declares he'll better that next time he flies to London." Reddy is only following in the great tradition set by Aussie cricket .. surely? SFC, wot u done to Reddy is un-Australian! :) :)
Johnno
Guest
Oh no not again.
Tom of Brisbane
Guest
5th comment, very good. Didn't think it would take very long
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
True, true. What was I meant to say though? The mediocre, can't even get a starting gig at Syndey, goalkeeper?
Silvio
Guest
What do you expect coming from a League family background! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Ballymore
Guest
"Star goalkeeper" - very generous. Journeyman seems more suitable.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Not at all. What I don't get, is how did he get drunk on the flight over? Where are his 'teammates' to stop him? Where are the club officials? Should never have happened in my eyes.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
You have to think Reddy's Sydney FC career could be over with this. Not a good look on the eve of a semi-final.