'It doesn't matter': Cosgrove defends ban served in National League

Auckland FC forward Sam Cosgrove is starting to embrace his role as a villain after it was revealed he had already served his suspension for a red card in the Intercontinental Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Cosgrove received a two-game suspension after being dismissed against Al-Ahli near the end of August, and it has emerged he has served his ban as he is registered in the New Zealand Men’s National League, which the Black Knights’ reserve side plays in.

A-League professionals are able to represent the club in the league, according to the New Zealand Football (NZF) participation agreement and NZF competition regulations, meaning the 29-year-old served his ban through games against Wellington Olympic AFC on September 27 and Monsoon Poon Miramar Rangers on October 3.

When asked if he felt any embarrassment over the action to ensure he was available for the opening A-League fixture, Cosgrove countered with his own questions.

“Embarrassment?” the English striker said.

“Why would the club not push to have a player available and use our free power that we have to do that?”

He was asked whether the action taken was fair and if the ban had been served properly.

Sam Cosgrove is available to play in Auckland FC's opening A-League fixture this weekend. Photo / Photosport

“It doesn’t matter,” Cosgrove said.

“I’ve missed two [National League] matches. In the A-League, you pick up a suspension in the A-League, you have to serve it in the A-League.

“So technically, in that case, I should be missing the next few Intercontinental Cups.”

Coach Pedro Moreira was delighted to have Cosgrove available for his side’s opening fixture against Melbourne City this weekend.

“I’m very happy for it, even because I think it was unfair [for him] to be out, because it was a completely different competition than this one, but I’m really happy to be possible to have him, and now let’s start with our main and more stronger first XI for this game,” Moreira said.

However, he wouldn’t be drawn on the technicalities of having the suspension served outside the A-League.

“In that kind of situation, it’s not my job as a coach. You can speak with the board about it, because sometimes it happens,” Moreira said.

“If some player of the A-League are suspended in Champions League, I don’t agree that they fulfill the games in our championship.”

Auckland FC begin their A-League title defence against Melbourne City at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, October 17, at 5pm.