FURIOUS Oman coach Claude Le Roy has slammed an alleged half-time jibe from Australian team manager Gary Moretti that branded his side cheats.
Le Roy spoke out at the start of his post-match press conference to issue a statement condemning the alleged remarks from Moretti that had riled the French coach.
He refused to repeat the comments - but his remarks suggested Moretti had questioned how real the need was for Omanis requiring medical attention during the course of the game.
Le ERoy also took a swipe at Socceroo stars Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill for their dialogue with the referee during the match.
"In 30 years I am a coach, I never receive an insult from anybody but the behaviour of this man at half-time is not of the quality of this country, this team and this staff," Le Roy said.
"I am not going to repeat it (what he said), I just wanted to tell you that's it's not at the level of a country like Australia.
"We are not cheaters. I am not liking it when the players are (receiving extended medical attention) on the field - but it happens only two times in the first half.
"We were not going to cheat, not to lose time or waste time. I never ask that of my players."
He added: "I don't like players staying on the field [down after tackles].
"Kewell is a very good assistant referee, Cahill also. They are always talking, putting pressure on the referee.''
The row took the shine off a hard-fought 1-0 win over Oman that saw an ordinary Australia struggle to get past the visitors - ranked 60 places below them by FIFA - at Etihad Stadium.
In the wake of Le Roy's outburst, the FFA apologised unreservedly to the coach for any offence caused by Moretti.
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