Fox Sports reported on the situation during the match, stating he left the sheds at half-time fully dressed with General Manager of Football Operations Terry McFlynn chasing after him.
It was believed he had left the stadium and drove home.
Young defender Ben Warland took his position, taking the field at the start of the second half.
Sydney FC manager Graham Arnold commented on what occurred after the match.
"David Carney got replaced at half time, he wasn’t happy, he took his bag to the car and came back inside,” he told Fox Sports.
The Sky Blues went on to lose the match 2-1, with Milos Ninkovic managing to score after Matt McKay and Jacob Pepper's first half goals for Roar.
