FFA reject Reds' ref request

Oct 18, 2016 - 2:39 AM Football Federation Australia has rejected Adelaide United's request to bar referee Shaun Evans from future A-League games involving the Reds.

Adelaide chairman Greg Griffen wrote to the FFA, angered at Evans' officiating in the Reds' loss to Western Sydney last Friday night.

But an FFA spokesman says the league won't have clubs dictating the choice of referees.

Adelaide made the request after Evans failed to send off Wanderer Jack Clisby for a crude tackle which injured Reds star Sergio Cirio.

Clisby was issued a yellow card for the tackle which resulted in Cirio suffering medial ligament damage to his right knee - an injury to sideline the Spaniard for upto 10 weeks.

"There was no malice in the tackle," Clisby told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.

"It was just one of those things ... I do wish Cirio all the best. I did message him last night wishing him a speedy recovery. It was never intentional to hurt the player. He appreciated the text."

Adelaide will likely replace Cirio with fellow winger Ryan Kitto for their home grudge match against Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.

Kitto said Clisby's tackle was disappointing.

"You don't like to see that," Kitto told reporters in Adelaide on Tuesday.

"And consequently for him to come off was very disappointing but that is football, it happens, and we move on.

"I don't think anyone goes out there to hurt anybody, it is just disappointing how it has happened."

Source: AAP