By Steve Larkin
Sydney FC boss Graham Arnold instructed two players to deliberately get yellow cards so they would serve bans before the A-League finals.
Microphones picked up Arnold telling Josh Brilliante and Brandon O'Neill to get yellow cards in the second half of the Sky Blues' match against Melbourne City on Saturday night.
Prior to getting booked, Brilliante and O'Neill were both one yellow card shy of suspension.
And by following instructions and copping another yellow, both players will now serve their one-game suspension this weekend - ensuring they're not ruled out of the finals.
Graham Arnold is taking no chances in the lead-up to the finals.Credit: Getty Images
While the tactic has been banned in some European leagues, the actions don't break any A-League laws.
And commentators defended Arnold for putting his team's finals campaign first.
"What's the big deal," former Adelaide United and Sydney FC coach John Kosmina said on Fox Sports.
Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich also had no issues with the tactic.
Yellow card: Josh Brilliante.Credit: Getty Images
"You have got to do what you have got to do," he told Fox Sports.
"If it's in the regulations, you have got a problem. If not, you haven't."
Comment was being sought from Football Federation Australia.
AAP