Santalab denies racism allegations

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THE angry fallout from the Sydney derby will go on for weeks, with Western Sydney striker Brendan Santalab vehemently denying allegations that he racially abused Sydney FC midfielder Ali Abbas during the Sky Blues' 3-1 victory on Saturday night.

Sydney FC on Sunday set in train what is likely to be a lengthy and high-profile disciplinary case for the A-League by making a formal complaint to Football Federation Australia over the comments Abbas claims infuriated him late in the game.

Though it is unclear whether any witnesses on the field will step forward, the allegations will attract a substantial penalty if found to be proved. It's understood that Western Sydney's new owners will consider the future of any player found guilty of such an offence.

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Though Western Sydney made no comment on the matter before flying to China on Sunday night for an Asian Champions League game, Santalab is understood to have strongly denied making the slur when asked about it after the game by a club official, and to have reiterated those denials again on Sunday.

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Abbas had to be restrained by teammates late in the second half and said after the match his outburst was a result of slurs made about his ethnic background and religion.

He told teammates that Santalab called him a highly derogatory term, coupled with specific references to his ethnicity and Muslim religion.

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A visibly irate Abbas told Fox Sports straight after Saturday's game that he had felt no alternative but to respond to what he heard.

"We are not here to attack religion or culture, we are here to play football," he said. "I come from a different country, I respect everyone here. I should get it back. If I don't get it back, I'm going to attack. That's what happened. If people attack religion, if people attack culture — I'm against that. We need to stop that."

On Sunday, with Abbas described as still furious, Sydney FC CEO Tony Pignata confirmed the club had made the complaint official.

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"We will be undergoing due process with FFA," Pignata said in a statement. "We ask that the privacy of Ali Abbas is respected at this time and no further comment will be made while the complaint procedure takes it course."

There is no clear timeline for the dispute process, with FFA guidelines noting that it may include attempts at mediation or referral straight to a tribunal.

If it goes to a full hearing then witnesses can be called — that may include Sydney FC striker Corey Gameriro who tweeted after the game that he was "disgusted to what I heard tonight!!! #SAYNOTORACISM."

Ali Abbas (R) of Sydney FC is held back by acting captain Sasa Ognenovski during the derby. Source: Getty Images

The players' union is likely to become involved on Monday though it faces a difficult balancing act in supporting both players. Adelaide striker Bruce Djite, a prominent PFA member, called on Saturday night for FFA to take action if Abbas's claims were true.

In terms of precedents, Sydney striker Joel Griffiths received a three-match ban two years ago for a racial term shouted at a linesman, while in the UK Liverpool striker Luis Suarez earned an eight-match ban for calling Patrice Evra of Manchester United a "negro".

To add to the Wanderers' woes, they could lose Iacopo La Rocca if the match review panel decides to have a closer look at the Italian's challenge on Abbas, where his elbow appeared come into contact with the Sydney FC player's head.

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