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Adelaide United Boss Aurelio Vidmar In Trouble Over Saudi Arabia Slur

The Reds boss could be called to answer for yet another media slip-up.

Nov 19, 2009 6:52:04 AM

Aurelio Vidmar, Adelaide United (Getty Images)

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Aurelio Vidmar, Adelaide United (Getty Images)

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Adelaide United manager Aurelio Vidmar is again in hot water over comments made in the media, after making a crude slur about Saudi Arabia.

Responding to suggestions at a media conference that his side were "soft", Vidmar snapped back.

"What would you like me to do? Chop their heads off?" Vidmar said.

"I can do that. We can go to Saudi Arabia and we can do that."

The reigning A-League Manager of the Year famously once labeled Adelaide a "pissant town" following a heavy play-off defeat to bitter rivals Melbourne, blaming internal politics for his side's implosion at the time.

His latest indiscretion is of a decidedly different tone though and might draw a stinging response both from within and outside of the country, given Australia is now part of the Asian Football Confederation.

Indeed, Vidmar only last season led the Reds to a historic Asian Champions League Final, a feat that raised the profile of the club, competition and the individual on the continent.

The former Socceroo released a statement apologizing for his remarks.

“This morning I was asked a question about my coaching style and I rather flippantly responded to the journalist," Vidmar's statement read.

"My answer was meant to be irreverent but I realise now that those comments could be misconstrued to be a genuine view.

"I apologise, and regret my comments. I understand the impact my words might have, and I apologise to anyone who has been offended.

"I did mention something about Saudi Arabia, it was not meant to be offensive, it was just something I said off the cuff, which is no excuse.

"I have been to and played in Saudi Arabia, it is a great country and I enjoyed the time I was there, and I certainly was not trying to disrespect them in any shape or form.”

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com

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