Aussies have reacted in a very Australian way after a Socceroos star was banned in the United States for allegedly dropping a c-bomb on an opposition player.
Patrick Yazbek has been suspended for two matches and will have to undergo a 'restorative practice program' after he breached the Major League Soccer's Anti-Discrimination Policy.
The Socceroos midfielder was overlooked for selection for upcoming World Cup qualification matches and was instead playing for MLS side Nashville when the incident occured.
Play was held up for five minutes while officials tried to work out what to do after the Aussie allegedly called an opposition player a '****'.
Yazbek had fouled Austin midfielder Owen Wolff in the 30th minute and on his way back down the field appeared to say something to either Wolff or Austin defender Dani Pereira.
Referee Rosendo Mendoza called a delay almost immediately and at the end of the five-minute delay Yazbek was substituted out for Jonathan Pérez.
The MLS has confirmed the suspension.
'In making decisions under this Policy, MLS considers many factors, including the player's immediate acceptance of responsibility for harm caused by the misconduct, eagerness to begin a process to repair it, and cooperation with the league's review,' the league said in a statement.
Australian Socceroos midfielder Patrick Yazbek has been suspended for two matches by the MLS for using offensive language
Football Australia says that Yazbek's recent non-selection for the Socceroos had nothing to do with the alleged slur
Nashville SC released a statement following the game acknowledging that Yazbek was under league investigation for 'use of offensive language' but refrained from further comment.
While the swear word is commonly used in Australia and especially during sporting events, it is considered an extreme insult in other nations like the United States.
However Aussies, who have even used the word in tourism marketing for the Northern Territory, could not understand the heavy-handed sanction for allegedly using the swear word.
'I know 90% of the A-league players would 100% be suspended if this was enforced,' one posted.
'What a soft league. The C word can be used as a word of endearment here in Australia,' posted another.
'This is discrimination against his culture no?' asked another.
Australia has used this cheeky slogan as a marketing tactic for the Northern Territory
There were plenty of footy fans questioning the MLS over the incident, including American supporters.
'Who exactly is he discriminating against?' asked one.
'MLS continues to break new ground in its never ending quest to be the cringiest league in the world,' posted another.
'That's ridiculous. The NBA would have no players left if swearing was banned,' added another.
However it is also being reported that the swear word was not the only part of the slur, which is why the MLS came down hard on the Aussie midfielder.
'Given he was suspended under the non-discrimination policy and not for offensive, insulting or abusive language, the c-word might have only been part of the problem.' one supporter posted.
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has spoken to Yazbek about the incident
Yazbek was left out of the Socceroos upcoming World Cup qualification matches against Bahrain (Thursday night, Gold Coast) and Indonesia (September 10, Jakarta).
But a Football Australia spokesperson said the recent MLS suspension was not the reason why Yazbek was overlooked.
It's understood Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has spoken to Yazbek since the incident.
Yazbek made his Socceroos debut in Australia's 5-0 win over Lebanon on March 26.
However, he wasn't selected in the Socceroos squad for June's matches against Bangladesh and Palestine.