Auckland FC striker Sam Cosgrove has defended the club's decision to have him serve a two-match suspension in New Zealand National League fixtures.
The 29-year-old English forward confronted a reporter during a heated exchange at training on Thursday, ahead of Auckland's A-League Men title defense.
Cosgrove received the suspension after a red card in the closing stages of Auckland's 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in August.
The dispute centers on whether his appearances for Auckland's reserves against Wellington Olympic and Miramar Rangers fulfilled the ban appropriately.
Regulations Allow Reserve Team Appearances
Under New Zealand Football's participation agreement and competition regulations, Auckland can field A-League professionals in its reserves team.
The rules also allow up to two non-citizens aged 23 or younger in each match-day squad, creating an opportunity for Cosgrove to participate in the National League fixtures.
During Thursday's exchange, Cosgrove was unable to recall the two matches when questioned about them and rejected the suggestion that he should feel embarrassed about the arrangement.
"Embarrassment," Cosgrove replied to a reporter.
He then defended the club's decision to pursue the option available under the regulations.
"Why would the club not push to have a player available and use every power that they have?"
Cosgrove said.
The forward also challenged the relevance of serving the suspension outside the elite domestic competition, arguing that the disciplinary consequences should correspond to the competition in which the original offence occurred.
"It doesn't matter, does it? I've missed two NPL matches," Cosgrove said.
He continued by describing how he believed suspensions should be applied across competitions.
"If you pick up a suspension in the A-League, you have to serve it in the A-League," Cosgrove said.
He extended that argument to the international tournament where he had received the red card.
"So technically, in that case, I should be missing the next few Intercontinental Cups, but I'm not," Cosgrove said.
The media conference ended abruptly after the reporter maintained that Cosgrove had not actually served the suspension.
The striker responded angrily before an Auckland FC representative addressed the regulatory question.
"What are you doing here then? Bugger off, if you're going to talk shit," Cosgrove said.
An Auckland FC minder said FIFA, Football Australia and Football New Zealand were "fine" with the way the suspension had been served.
Cosgrove also accused the reporter of undermining efforts to improve football in New Zealand.
"You know what football's like in this country mate. We f**king work hard to get it good," Cosgrove said.
He continued his criticism of the questioning.
"You bring it down with shit like that," Cosgrove said.
The confrontation escalated further before the exchange ended.
"What are you laughing for? We'll just f**k you off.
You won't get back here again," Cosgrove said.
In a podcast episode published on Tuesday, Cosgrove had already discussed the arrangement, saying he was relieved that the workaround had become public.
"Finally stop lying about it," Cosgrove said, describing his relief at no longer having to conceal the arrangement.
He also explained the circumstances surrounding the original dismissal and the club's effort to challenge the punishment.
"It was a poor challenge in oppressive heat and late in the game but the two-game suspension was a little bit harsh," Cosgrove told The Unused Subs podcast.
Cosgrove said the club had explored options to reduce the suspension before finding a way for him to join the reserves squad.
"We were trying to get that reduced, and the power of lawyers and legal teams these days they managed to find a way to sign me up with the Auckland reserves," Cosgrove said.
He also described his involvement in the lower-level competition positively.
"It was a good experience to be involved in that league and watch those games," Cosgrove said.
According to the source report, Cosgrove scored 11 goals during his debut season with Auckland FC and won the A-League men's Golden Boot as the club secured its first championship.
Auckland will begin its title defense at home against Melbourne City on Saturday before visiting Western Sydney Wanderers on October 24.
