A-League boneheads need a new hobby
Columnist By Mike Tuckerman, 22 Sep 2009 Mike Tuckerman is a Roar Expert
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Adelaide United's fans seen during the AFC Champions League semifinals second leg match between Bunyodkor and Adelaide United in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. AP Photo/Anvar Ilyasov
It’s been a bit of a gloomy start to the new A-League campaign. Crowds have stagnated. Certain pitches are a disgrace. And now the mainstream media has a new show reel of ‘crowd violence’ to dredge up every time football threatens the status quo.
The so-called ‘clashes’ between Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory supporters last Friday night were the usual storm-in-a-teacup stuff.
Footage of police dragging prepubescent teens away from rival supporters kept the cameras rolling outside the ground, whilst the sound of chanting fans apparently had some Adelaide citizens scared witless.
It was all reminiscent of those stupid “World’s Worst” TV shows – grainy stock footage, a shaky camera operator and the lingering sense of disappointment that what you’d just seen wasn’t half as shocking as first promised.
But while genuine A-League fans can sit and snigger at the benign nature of what the mainstream press calls ‘crowd violence,’ the fact is that such imagery strikes at the heart of the A-League – no matter how inane it is.
Yes, we can gnash our teeth at the injustice of it all. 29 fans ejected from an A-League game seems to herald the breakdown of Australian society, but large-scale fan violence at the cricket is a mere example of Aussie larrikinism.
But what we can’t ignore is the fact that morons who lob projectiles and fans who scuffle with police give the A-League a reputation it can ill-afford.
Any regular A-League fan knows that a football game in Australia is a safe and relatively fun place to be. Trouble is, many members of Australian society do not.
It is they who are left tut-tutting at the back page headlines and sensationalist media reports – concerned for the safety of loved ones and friends should they ever run into an A-League fan in a dark alley.
Without an accurate basis of comparison, they often take at face value reports of hooliganism and mistake active, vocal support for the threat of imminent violence.
More importantly, many have young sons and daughters who play the game, or run businesses that might otherwise plough money into football were it not for the spectre – real or imagined – of crowd violence.
In his fascinating account of Italian fan culture “A Season With Verona,” English novelist Tim Parks reveals that many Italian ‘Ultras’ give up their unique version of active support the minute they acquire a love interest.
Forgive the crass generalisation, but it looks like one or two of the cretins who drag the A-League’s name into the gutter could do with a hair wash and a good old-fashioned girlfriend.
And – lest I be accused of such – I’m not some prudish version of a football wowser either.
I’ve stood on the terraces at high-security games in Germany on countless occasions, and once had the unenviable pleasure of being in the Swiss capital Bern the night visiting Feyenoord fans turned the city centre into their own version of “Kristallnacht.”
I’ve just never understood the point of ripping a flare in support of my team. If you want to play with distress signals, why not join the Navy?
The fact of the matter is that the A-League does not have a major problem with fan violence or crowd safety. A few isolated incidents and some scruffy-haired Elijah Wood-wannabes does not a Taylor Report make.
But with the A-League battling gallantly to muscle its way into the consciousness of the wider Australian public, the last thing it needs is a bunch of fringe-dwelling lunatics ruining it for everyone else.
I’m not the first to say it, and I doubt I’ll be the last – but I wish some of the boneheads within our ranks would find a new hobby.
Otherwise we run the risk of the A-League being remembered for everything that it’s not – an unsafe and unfriendly environment in which to watch football.
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September 22nd 2009 @ 9:50am
The Bear said | September 22nd 2009 @ 9:50am | Report comment
Thanks for airing the linen, Mike. As Football fans we can take the reality of the situation.
I think the mainstream market (the ordinary folk who occasionally read the drivel the code receives in the papers and on TV) have given Football a fair go by now, as the media soils itself in it’s rather un-ethical handling of the other code’s misfortunes over the last decade. Thankfully the Socceroos went through their phoenix like rebirth and did so well in Germany’s World Cup.
I trust the ordinary folk can see this for what it is, regardless how agenda-driven outlets “use” this new ammunition.
Whilst it is regrettable that some youth can’t distinguish trivia from reality, it is hardly knuckle dusters and group sex. I think the Australian public are wise enough to see the difference in intent and maliciousness. The real problem here is the Police ineptness, imo. And this is a national problem, and covers all codes, too.
September 22nd 2009 @ 10:11am
MartyB said | September 22nd 2009 @ 10:11am | Report comment
I agree that the mainstream media enjoys playing up the stereotype of soccer hooliganism. Compared to Europe or South America, our football culture is a walk in the park, handbags at 10 paces stuff, especially in the newly formed A-League. But the media enjoys a good beatup almost as much as they enjoy utilising ingrained stereotypes.
All NRL players and fans are thugs, all cricketers are gentlemen, and all soccer fans are baby-eating hooligans hell-bent on destroying society.
Exhibit A:
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-myth-that-soccer-is-a-family-friendly-sport/#item1269
It’s just damn lazy, regurgitated crap without research, analysis or any basis for comparison. But it divides opinion, so they’ll keep printing it.
September 22nd 2009 @ 10:37am
SDS_2008 said | September 22nd 2009 @ 10:37am | Report comment
word tuck, word
September 22nd 2009 @ 11:03am
mattamkII said | September 22nd 2009 @ 11:03am | Report comment
yeah cant wait for that 2nd team in Melbourne (is that still happening?) will be great for the game….not
September 22nd 2009 @ 12:15pm
11x8 said | September 22nd 2009 @ 12:15pm | Report comment
I’m so annoyed @ certain media people who, in their own words ” Wouldn’t cross the road to see a soccer game ”
These same people will eagerly jump on the ” Australia’s in the World cup ” bandwagon because it will affect their ability to be taken as ” serious ” sports journalists if they don’t!
And what is the penalty for these no-brain ” supporters “? Liife bans – how will they be policed? Shit the security men couldn’t even manage to stop that tosser enterering the MCG and ripping the nets at a world-cup qualifier!
September 22nd 2009 @ 1:07pm
Mike Tuckerman said | September 22nd 2009 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26102045-5006373,00.html
September 23rd 2009 @ 6:36pm
Timmo said | September 23rd 2009 @ 6:36pm | Report comment
just wrote this on the aritcle
“Philip of Adelaide its because this rivalry goes beyond sport. This isn’t about Adelaide United versus Melbourne Victory its all about SA versus VIC that really fueled this hatred exspecially the “KICK A VIC” campaign in the 90′s? Wait next year when there are 2 melbourne teams. Are you gonna hate both teams equally the same or just the victory? The supporter from the Red army said it best on the news that at the end of the day all who attend games regardless of who we support should in essence be mates. Support cheer boo your team but leave opposition fans alone. They are Football/Soccer supporters too who have the same amount of passion as everyone else. That should be commended!
September 22nd 2009 @ 1:41pm
Mackey said | September 22nd 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
“FFA head of corporate and public affairs Bonita Mersiades said the hooligan element will not be accepted.
“FFA has zero tolerance of such behaviour and we will continue to work with all relevant parties to ensure that games can be enjoyed in a relaxed and family-friendly environment,” she said”
Well then quit showing advertisements with hundreds of fans jumping up and down and singing and telling us that the football atmosphere is unique.
You either want emotion, or you don’t, this isn’t bloody primary school.
September 22nd 2009 @ 1:43pm
AndyRoo said | September 22nd 2009 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
BS
You can have chanting and atmosphere without hyped up aggro….see the Barmy army
September 22nd 2009 @ 2:15pm
albe said | September 22nd 2009 @ 2:15pm | Report comment
this whole ‘family friendly’ thing … its really about how a stadia is set up and arrangements for seating bays, access points etc. There is generally an acceptance of active supports at most grounds and that should continue.
FFA has to be careful about not discouraging too much the sort of atmosphere that makes football so great to watch at the ground.
September 22nd 2009 @ 2:33pm
Pippinu said | September 22nd 2009 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
albe
that’s true – this is part of the great balancing act the FFA has to worry about – it’s a very fine line between good behaviour and absolute sterility.
September 22nd 2009 @ 1:42pm
AndyRoo said | September 22nd 2009 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
I find the reader comments on that article really upsetting
“you can lock them in there for 30mins and no one is standing behind them throwing stuff”
“Oh my lord, this is going beyond the joke. what a waste of time, just separate the fans properly and this won’t happen. Keep the away fans in for 30 minutes after the game and this won’t happen. Common sense people Seriously!!! Its crowd management 101!”
The idea of having to sit behind for 30 mins! Sorry if that is the answer then the A league is dead to me, I am a football fan but an Australian one and I think a lot of people won’t accept being treated like cattle. I know it’s par for the course in Europe but why do we have to accept this. We can go to Cricket, Rugby and League and their might be some unruly drunkenness but no need for segregation.
I have gone to plenty of A league games (only in Brisbane admittedly) and never seen any trouble and am opposed to the segregation of fans, a SFC supporter could sit next to me and I wouldn’t care one iota. I have gone to Rugby league matches and even in the members section you would see away fans and no threats of stupidity just friendly banter.
If certain clubs have a problem with youth then force them to fix it. Ban’s and huge fines, lobby for a new law so they can be really punished.
We are at the stage now where the supporter groups are quite small and it wouldn’t be hard to stamp this out.
September 22nd 2009 @ 2:04pm
Mackey said | September 22nd 2009 @ 2:04pm | Report comment
I’ve been to league matches at Suncorp and watched blokes belt the tar out of each other on the concourse, and seen an all in brawl in the stands at a Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide game, never hear about it in the press though. About the worst I’ve seen at Roar games is the odd ejection (of both sets of suporters) for drunkeness, or the police nipping any potenital situation for a fight in the bud.
Of course you can have chanting and singing without the aggro, but it’s a competitive sport so everyone’s not exactly going to be singing “HEY THERE OTHER MOB WE REALLY RESPECT YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND WISH YOU A SAFE TRIP HOME AND MAYBE A WIN, MEET AS AT THE PUB FOR A SHANDY AFTER THE GAME XOXO’ now are they?
The Barmy Army have done some terrible things in the past (burning their money in front of Indian and South African crowds for a start), they’re not exactly the bastion of good behaviour, just saying.
September 22nd 2009 @ 2:17pm
AndyRoo said | September 22nd 2009 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
I dont mind profanity, as long as theres no violence then it’s not a huge deal.
A few drunken individuals wearing regualr clotehs fighting is hardly going to make the news but if their in organsied supporter groups, colors and in a mob there going to attract coverage.
I think the most violent crowd behavior I saw was a Rugby League City vs Country match at Parramatta stadium where the country boys had obviously been on a massive pub crawl leading up to kick off. There was a group of about 60 of them near us and I think 10 managed to make it to the end of the match. Being a kid though I thought it was excellent.
September 23rd 2009 @ 6:36pm
Killer_Tomatoes said | September 23rd 2009 @ 6:36pm | Report comment
the people who are the ones that fight are hardly going to be wearing club colours
September 22nd 2009 @ 2:31pm
Pippinu said | September 22nd 2009 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
I’ve seen over 200 AFL games in my life. Mostly in Melbourne, but a handful in Sydney, Canberra, Geelong and Adelaide.
We are used to having all supporters pretty much mixed up in a stadium, catching trains home together, etc.
I can’t recall ever coming across a single incident in all my life – in fact – I can hardly recall ever seeing a cop! (there used to be one on horseback at the Western Oval which was very popular with the kiddies)
As for this matter – I took it to be the absolute non-event that it is – but it has to be added that you don’t see groups of pimply kids goading each other at AFL games – I simply say it as a statement of fact – you just don’t see it (not that I feel personally threatened, even if I did see it – and I actually don’t mind flares, to be honest).
The closest we get to “fan” groups are the cheer squads, who generally sit at opposite ends of the ground (directly behind the goals), and who, to be honest, are rather small in number (I’d be surprised if they number more than 150 apiece – and that could be amongst a crowd approaching 90,000).
September 22nd 2009 @ 5:07pm
James said | September 22nd 2009 @ 5:07pm | Report comment
Hmm agreed. From what I read in the Advertiser, you also don’t see police “walking” one set of fans away from the other set, so as not to bump in to each other. How bloody ridiculous is that! Are soccer fans so violent towards each other or just plan stupid. This sort of thing happens too regularly in A-leaue games…lets face it, there are less A-League games and crowds then NRL or AFL, but proportionally much more violence. As for the cricket, the cops get rid of you straight away if you are being a nuisance….there is even a number to call at the MCG for anti social behaviour.
September 23rd 2009 @ 8:38am
melbvictory87 said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:38am | Report comment
what the f_ck are you talking about. honestly, if you have never been to a game then why would you bother to comment. ive been to 60 a league matches and you never see any form of violence whatsoever. its so peaceful compared to other sports its unbelievable, but then you come along who has no idea whatsoever and makes some rash judgement with no evidence to abck that up
September 23rd 2009 @ 8:08am
albatross said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:08am | Report comment
Pip
You obviously weren’t at the Essendon v Collingwood game in 1972. Banners set on fire and much crowd mayhem during the match . Although to be fair the incidents at the game were considered to be unusual.
September 23rd 2009 @ 8:12am
Pippinu said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:12am | Report comment
I most definitely wasn’t there!!
September 23rd 2009 @ 3:33pm
albatross said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
You must be a young Puppini then, I woulda thought you woulda been a big fan of Speccy Blethyn. I was only there ‘cos I was keen on the daughter of the secretary of the Essendon social club, not that that got us any seating privileges. Fortunately she gave me the flick and I didn’t have to go to any more VFL games.
September 23rd 2009 @ 3:40pm
Pippinu said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:40pm | Report comment
I was old enough to be there (10 years old) – but I wasn’t there because I don’t follow either team!!
I remember Blethyn from the footy cards of the time – hard not to recognise him!!
September 23rd 2009 @ 11:37pm
Killer_Tomatoes said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:37pm | Report comment
Are you serious Pip? What section of the ground do you sit in at most of these games? The MCC? The Medallion Club?
I’ve been to about 12 AFL games this year, at most of seen at least some violence (at the midseason game between Richmond and Carlton i saw three guys fighting with police outside of Gate 4 of the ‘G at half time) and during the last round game between Hawthorn and Essendon I saw skirmishes break out all over the ground, not necessarily between rival fans (I saw two Essendon fans fighting one other Essendon fan, and two Hawthorn fans going at it while security stood on watching), I even saw a fight in the bathroom and two guys so drunk neither could stand and had to be helped by one of those St Johns Ambulance buggies. But even at the few games where I haven’t seen actual fights I’ve seen the threat of violence bubbling beneath the surface between bogans who had had way too much to drink. One of my mates had his nose broken at a Collingwood v Carlton game and then there was the incident with Nathan Jones’, the Melbourne footballers, father early in the season.
I’ve seen a few scuffles between security and rival fans at A-League and VPL games over the last year, but never have I seen somebody leave the ground to go straight to the Emergency Room, and i definitely haven’t seen the same level or amount of violence at roundball football games.
To make this clear, I’m a lover of both sports, I attend all Carlton FC games at the MCG (plus a lot of other games of other teams with friends) and all Victory home games (plus as many away games as I can realistically get to). I have no agenda against AFL by claiming it is violent, but i have certainly seen much, much more violence at AFL games than any football games, and this is even post-Princess/Victoria/Kardinia Park where fights in the outer occurred numerous times in a match.
The level of violence at A-League games is blown way out of proportion due to the fear that a large group of people united for one cause (a lot of them ethnic, lets not beat around the bush) is infinitely more dangerous to wider society ‘if’ they get violent than one or two pissed blokes beating the crap out of each other at Jolimont Station.
September 22nd 2009 @ 2:38pm
yeebarr said | September 22nd 2009 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
I went to my first A-League game on Sunday (took my 8 year old son) to see Sydney FC vs Newcastle Jets. For the record I’m not really a soccer fan (see? I called it “soccer”) but my son loves the game.
From my view the match was played with good intensity and the crowd were having a good time (the area I sat in seemed very family orientated). There was only one offensive chant all game but you had to strain our ears to hear it.
I actually preferred it to going to the cricket – smaller crowds (although that’s probably not what the organisers want to hear) and shorter time frame for the louts to get drunk (or maybe that was due to the 3pm kick-off time)
Anyway it was a hit with my kid and I will definitely go back to another match.