Former Barnsley and Birmingham City striker Sam Cosgrove has become embroiled in a heated exchange with a reporter over the way he served a two-match suspension at Auckland FC.
The 29-year-old was sent off during Auckland’s 1-0 defeat against Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in August. His subsequent suspension had initially been expected to rule him out of the opening two league matches, but Auckland instead registered him with their reserves and counted National League fixtures against Wellington Olympic and Miramar Rangers towards the ban.
That decision came under scrutiny at a media conference on Thursday, when Cosgrove was asked whether he felt any unease or embarrassment about the arrangement. The Englishman defended his club’s approach before the exchange became increasingly confrontational.
A Familiar Name In English Football
Cosgrove’s most recent English spell came at Stockport, where he joined on loan from Barnsley in February 2025 and made seven League One appearances. He had signed for the Tykes from Birmingham City in 2023, having previously enjoyed a productive loan at Plymouth Argyle, scoring 12 goals in all competitions as they won the 2022/23 League One title. His earlier career included Wigan Athletic and Carlisle United, while loans at Shrewsbury Town and AFC Wimbledon followed his return south from Aberdeen to Birmingham in 2021.
He joined Auckland in August 2025 after leaving Barnsley and enjoyed a successful first season in New Zealand. Cosgrove shared the A-League Golden Boot as Auckland secured their first championship, establishing himself as a key player before the suspension dispute overshadowed preparations for their title defence.
Cosgrove Hits Back Over Suspension Questions
Cosgrove questioned why Auckland would not explore the options available to them to get him back on the pitch. He also challenged the suggestion that a suspension incurred in one competition should automatically have to be served in the A-League.
“Why would the club not push to have a player available and use every power that they have?
“It doesn’t matter, does it? I’ve missed two NPL matches.”
As the media conference broke up, the reporter repeated his contention that Cosgrove had not actually served the suspension. The striker responded with a series of angry remarks, including telling the journalist to leave.
“What are you doing here then? Bugger off, if you’re going to talk s***.”
An Auckland representative said FIFA, Football Australia and New Zealand Football were satisfied with how the suspension had been served. Cosgrove continued to express his frustration, accusing the reporter of undermining efforts to improve football in the country.
“You know what football’s like in this country mate. We f**king work hard to get it good.
“You bring it down with shit like that.”
Auckland Defend Decision
Auckland’s director of football, Terry McFlynn, offered a more measured explanation of the process. He said the wording of FIFA’s suspension notice referred to the club’s next two official matches, rather than specifying A-League fixtures.
“The definition and the terminology of the suspension notice that we got from FIFA was that the suspended player, whether it was Sam or regardless of who it was, must serve their suspension in the club’s next two official matches.
“And in the National League, all our players are eligible to play, it’s an official match for our football club, so Sam served his suspension in the National League.”
McFlynn insisted Auckland would have followed the same process for any player facing those circumstances. The club’s position was that Cosgrove had fulfilled the terms of the suspension through its National League fixtures.
