Sydney FC defend discipline record

Sydney FC defender Sebastian Ryall has denied there are any disciplinary issues at the A-League club.

The 23-year-old was responding to questions about the number of suspensions handed out to his team-mates and support staff over the past couple of weeks.

Goalkeeping coach Zeljko Kalac is the latest member of the club to be slapped with a ban after he was banished from the sideline during Sydney’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle.

Kalac was charged with the “use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against a match official” and will have to watch his side’s next three matches from the stands.

It comes after Terry McFlynn’s red card against Newcastle that earned him a one-match suspension and the more controversial banning of star striker Joel Griffiths.

Griffiths copped a three-match ban from Football Federation Australia for using foul and abusive language towards a match official at the end of the Sky Blues match against Melbourne Victory.

While Ryall admitted the suspensions were a concern, he insisted there were no underlying problems at the club.

“I don’t think there’s a problem with discipline,” Ryall said on Tuesday.

“The Joel Griffiths case will be dealt with by FFA and that’s a matter for (them) and there’s not really that much I can say about it.

“Here at Sydney FC we’re very dedicated to keeping the game clean.

“We’ve got some red cards over the last two weeks, but I think generally this year we’ve been pretty good.

“It is a bit of an issue, obviously getting red cards and suspensions, but I don’t see it as a problem and we’ll just be ready for the next match to play a fair game.”

While Sydney have struggled with an up and down season, Ryall believes new coach Frank Farina has had a positive effect on the players.

“It’s been a little bit difficult obviously with new coaches coming in, but we see that as a positive now with Frank Farina,” Ryall said.

“All the boys work really hard for him and we’re just training really hard.

“Obviously since the results have changed since he’s come in it’s been a much more positive atmosphere here and all the boys are really happy and ready to just work hard.”

Ryall said the players had worked hard on their fitness this week ahead of Sunday’s match against Brisbane Roar.

“We’re up for a big match this weekend,” he said.

“They’ve got a new coach in and all the boys look like they’re really hungry to get the win.

“This is sort of the business end of the season and they’ll be up for it and we’re up for it as well.”