Sydney coach told players to get yellow cards

Graham Arnold, coach of Sydney FC. Photo / Getty Images

Football bosses are disappointed in Sydney FC boss Graham Arnold for instructing two players to get yellow cards so they 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.

While the tactic has been banned in some European leagues, the actions don't break any domestic laws, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said.

"Whilst the FFA is disappointed to note that Graham Arnold has instructed his players to deliberately seek a yellow card, it does not contravene the rules and will not be the subject of further investigation," an FFA spokesperson said.

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."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."

- AAP