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Depending on your social circle, you either know the Red and Black Bloc as the greatest thing to happen to Australian football or the worst thing since Holger Osieck was appointed Socceroos boss.
They’ve adopted a new mantra, “Stand united, never divided”, but the RBB have well and truly divided opinion.
While active support was already well established through The Cove, Northern Terrace and so on, it was the sheer numbers and volume of the RBB that captured the attention of neutrals in western Sydney in 2012.
After a relatively smooth first season where adulation came in abundance, the attitude towards the group of passionate supporters has taken an unenviable turn.
Controversy has been offered up just as much as celebration this season, most recently following Sunday’s ‘silent protest’ during Wanderers’ defeat to Newcastle.
While scepticism raged about the motive behind the RBB’s defiance – with retaliation to sanctions handed down for the use of flares during last Wednesday’s Asian Champions League match the go-to assumption – the group set about clarifying what it was they were opposing.
In essence, a statement released by the group on Monday night suggested there has been unfair treatment of RBB members by police and security guards, a lack of support from the club in allowing banned fans to appeal, and the excessive use of widespread punishment for the actions of a few.
They present some valid points, particularly if reports of fans being assaulted by police and being incorrectly given bans are accurate.
Alas, there is also reason to suggest the RBB have failed to embrace and learn from their flaws. Case in point – the seven flares lit on Wednesday.
Granted, the general admission ticketing for the Ulsan Hyundai clash meant there was no way to police whether the culprits were RBB members, but the flares emanated from the section of core supporters – as identified by police – and it is hard to believe ‘seniors’ who were leading the boisterous crowd were unaware they were about to be ignited.
As the call has been so often, it was an instance where simple self-policing could have prevented catastrophe, particularly considering the stern warning and threats handed down to the Wanderers following events earlier in the season.
Instead, a fine of $5,000 for each flare is expected; quite a way for a ‘fan’ to treat their own club.
There is no case to answer for the use of flares and it was only right for the club to ban all paraphernalia: after all, they’re getting desperate when it comes to punishments.
The RBB is a brute force of active support even without flares and, given warnings weren’t heeded and flares are illegal, this is one instance where it’s advised to accept the blame.
It’s disappointing to see such a strong police presence at all games. I had a camera pointed in my face before one game this season and the most violent thing I’ve ever done is throw a pillow at the TV when ‘our Timmy’ was sent off in South Africa.
While it’s highly inconvenient, I’m innocent so have no reason to be afraid.
One way to get them off your back? Do the right thing. Repeatedly.
Wave your flags and banners (when they get reinstated), chant, go nuts – just do it within the realms of the law.
The police are there as a result of a number of precedents and, we can only hope, they will back away slowly if there is no sign of disruption.
Like it or not, the club still exists without the RBB, although it would be significantly less attractive. This doesn’t give the RBB a right of freedom, it means they have a greater responsibility to represent the club and ensure the few idiots who are tarnishing the brand and reputation are weeded out.
They do, however, deserve to be treated fairly. If the RBB must accept when they are wrong, so too must the FFA.
The struggle between Melbourne Victory’s Northern Terrace Collective (NTC) and their club this season isn’t purely coincidence; two supporters groups can’t hold similar frustrations for no reason at all.
Most of the NTC’s requests – including the removal of tarpaulins in the active area and not reducing the size of the active support – appear to be reasonable from the outside.
As the RBB suggest, punishments are oft delivered swiftly and without consideration of the bigger picture. As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure, and there are switched-on people at the core of active support groups who have plenty to offer if given a chance.
We’re not talking about giving the casuals, ultras and Green Street Hooligan fanboys a chance to plead their case, it’s those who believe they have a genuine point to argue.
If they are guilty, fair enough, slap them with the rule book. Otherwise, potentially innocent fans are being taken out of the game.
The solution? Greater dialogue. How often have we heard that suggestion? Active groups deserve the right to convey their own ideas and grievances, with a fair compromise almost always a possibility.
It would be remiss to suggest clubs don’t care about their supporters, and current communication is offered through fan forums and meeting with a core group of active supporters. But there are plenty more steps to take to offer a mutual solution rather than clubs and bodies assuming the most viable outcome.
The RBB, clubs and the FFA all have their pitfalls; the sooner each can accept those, the sooner we can get back to making headlines for the right reasons.
In this case, you can’t fight fire with fire.
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