Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill has slammed fans he claims booed him during Tuesday’s win over Costa Rica, saying it’s not just offensive to him but detrimental to the entire team.
The veteran defender was caught on camera gesturing and yelling an expletive towards supporters he felt were heckling him at Allianz Stadium late in Australia’s 1-0 victory.
The outburst drew widespread criticism from fans, commentators and former players – including Mark Bosnich – and slightly overshadowed what was an encouraging outing by the Socceroos in Ange Postecoglou’s first match at the helm.
But Neill on Wednesday defended his fiery exchange.
“I think some people had some courage juice and they started to boo me and only me when I was on the ball. I can’t tolerate that,” he said.
“I’m an Australian coming to Australia to play for Australia and to be booed by Australians is unacceptable.
“But what it is, and these guys don’t understand, is it’s detrimental to the team.
“There were a lot of young guys who put in an amazing performance last night.
“We’re wining the game 1-0 against a team that’s qualified for the World Cup and we’ve put on a display that’s worthy of plenty of cheers and to hear boos is unacceptable.”
Neill said while he was sorry he swore, he felt justified in reacting the way he did.
“I can apologise for swearing, but we have to stamp that kind of thing out now because this is an exciting time for Australia and unfortunately it’s tarnished what should have been an exciting and amazing night for Ange Postecoglou and the Socceroos and Australia,” he said.
“I’m passionate about Australia and I’m passionate about what happened last night so there will be no apology from me.
“It’s just silly and disrespectful.
“We’re all very proud Australians but we should all act the Australian way and that is to get behind each other and really support the green and gold.”
Neill on Tuesday became the Socceroos’ longest-serving skipper, his 61st match as captain eclipsing Peter Wilson’s 60 games as the 1970s leader.
There were calls for the 35-year-old to quit following the Socceroos’ 6-0 losses to Brazil and France last month which ultimately led to coach Holger Osieck’s sacking.
Neill was heavily criticised for his reaction after the back-to-back losses, calling himself a “victim” and largely blaming the team’s youngsters for the poor showing.
But while many expected Postecoglou to appoint the likes of Tim Cahill or Mark Bresciano as captain, Neill retained his role and rebounded with a strong performance in defence.
Postecoglou praised Neill’s resilience in dealing with the intense scrutiny and hoped his display would ease pressure on the underfire skipper.
“If nothing else, we can stop talking about Lucas Neill,” Postecoglou said.
“To be fair to Lucas, he’s handled this really well – I would have probably spat the dummy much earlier.”
Football Federation Australia on Wednesday condemned Neill’s outburst.
“The action of swearing and reacting like that to a section of the crowd was unacceptable,” FFA chief executive David Gallop said.
“While that kind of crowd behaviour is not what we want to see, Lucas should have let it slide.
“In the cool light of the next few days I expect he will realise that.”
realfootball
Guest
I took issue with the language you used. I have not heard anyone say anything that could be remotely construed as "pathetic chest beating". In my view, what Neill did was a serious breach of protocol. Gallop obviously takes the same view. I would be surprised if AP was happy either.
Cameron Kellett
Guest
I actually wasn't referring to anyone on this forum. I was referring to Bozza, Gallop,, Neill etc. I'm on the fence for this issue. I agree with Neill but also disagree. You don't like my opinion that's ok, but its not a personal attack on anyone here.
tezza
Guest
Realfootball the best thing about having a debate is that people can have their own opinons otherwise we will all just follow one another. Maybe Neill shouldn`t have reacted but at the end of the day he is human with feelings like you and me and not a machine, and that is my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!
realfootball
Guest
In the end, the only call that matters is AP's...
sheek
Roar Guru
Hi realfootball, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree here, on both Neill's reaction & his ongoing place in the Socceroos.....
realfootball
Guest
The conduct of our national team captain should rightly be held up to scrutiny. It is not a "pathetic excuse for people to beat their chest (sic)". You can do better than that rather childish abuse, Kellett. If you don't care, don't join the debate.
Cameron Kellett
Guest
I'm on the fence here. In all seriousness, who cares guys? Does this really need to take up more air space? I'm ready to move on. The Ashes start today and I'm going to a top of the table clash between Roar and wanderers tomorrow. To me, that is more important than this pathetic excuse for people to beat their chest and express their opinions.
Franko
Guest
Interesting contrast: England draw 0-0 with Algeria in 2010 WC Rooney on national tv: “Nice to see your own fans booing you. That's what loyal support is,” FA no doubt have a word in his ear and the next day we get this from him: “Last night, on reflection I said things in the heat of the moment that came out of frustration of both our performance and the result. For my part I apologise for any offence caused by my actions at the end of the game.” It is difficult to behave more boorishly than Wayne Rooney but Lucas, you’ve done it.
realfootball
Guest
sheek, I find it difficult to understand your position on this issue. Neill abused fans in public, on live television. Obviously Gallup had to respond likewise. Do you really think he could sit on his hands? As captain, Neill has a responsibility to conduct himself with a dignity and forbearance befitting his position. To act as he did was self indulgent and unprofessional. Anyone who has played sport in front of a crowd has been abused. Neill's conduct in this instance was understandable, in the context of the pressure he has been under, but still indefensible. Your sweeping statements regarding Neill being worth his place are stated as universal truths. They are not. They are your view, and I and many others disagree with them. I do not believe Neill has anything more than competent leadership abilities, and for some time he has been less than competent. His ability to read the game does not, against quality opposition, compensate for his lack of pace - something that has always been an issue with Neill, and which is now a chronic problem. His only hope of playing in the WC finals is being played along side a player with enough pace to cover for him. Don't forget that Neill failed to impress for Sydney, who opted not to pursue a contract extension. On that showing, Neill isn't A League standard, let alone international standard. He is a bench player in the J League and struggling for minutes. He owes his continued presence in the NT only to the conservatism of the lamentable Holger Osieck.
Michael
Guest
Well said.
sheek
Roar Guru
I'm surprised that David Gallop bought into the controversy. Publicly. I have a lot of time for Gallop, he's a good man & a good administrator, but I feel anything he felt needed to be said to Neill, should have been done in private. Fans can be unbelievably feral, & rude. You only have to read The Roar to see how some fans react. in the age of instant information, we all think we're experts. Which of course, is far from the reality. But that's how it's made us think - because our opinion can be broadcast worldwide immediately, we easily confuse this technology with being some kind of authority. which most of us aren't. It's also all very well to say Neill should have held his tongue. But he's human & he reacted to something he found offensive. I admire him for being human, & being passionate. Picking a player isn't always about the in-form player. Sure, Neill has lost the edge of his game, but he compensates with vast experience & leadership. He can see the play developing several layers ahead. From that perspective, he's still worth his place. In any case, respect the man for his achievements - he's been there, done that, etc.
Franko
Guest
“But what it is, and these guys don’t understand, is it’s detrimental to the team. “There were a lot of young guys who put in an amazing performance last night." He doesn't see his own contradiction. In part they are booing you Lucas because we want to see more of the young guys, not you hanging on for dear life. What is detrimental to the team is getting pumped 6-0, 6-0 like it's the first round of a tennis tournament and then the captain having a go at the team. My advice is to play good football and shut up.