- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The FFA has put the blame for the weekend’s poor fan behaviour squarely on one club, and more specifically on one group by issuing the Western Sydney Wanderers with a show cause letter for bringing the game into disrepute.
The letter comes after flares were let off in the Red and Black Bloc during the Wanderers’ game against Melbourne Victory on the weekend.
JANEK SPEIGHT: It’s time the fans united against flares
According to a statement released by the FFA today, the Wanderers have until 5pm this Wednesday to show why the club shouldn’t face sanction for bringing the game into disrepute via the Red and Black Bloc.
Both financial penalties and loss of ladder points have been threatened.
More football:
» FFA must dock the Wanderers competition points
» FFA talking tough could be rough for Wanderers
» It’s time for A-League supporters to unite against flares
» A-League fans have shot themselves in the foot
“FFA has received detailed reports from all stakeholders and has asked the Western Sydney Wanderers to show cause why they should not face sanctions for the behaviour of a group of fans on Saturday night,” Gallop said.
“This behaviour has clearly alarmed many people inside and outside the game. It simply cannot be tolerated.
“It is especially disappointing that it has happened at a time when we are working collectively to implement security and banning processes to rid of our game of this type of behaviour for the benefit of football and the true football fans who are tainted by these actions. That is an unfortunate but very real consequence of this behaviour and it underlines the damage that these troublemakers cause.
“We have noted the statements made by the Western Sydney Wanderers in relation to the misconduct and the damage the behaviour is doing to the game.”
This action follows strong talk from FFA CEO David Gallop about banning further fans for poor behaviour at games. Gallop was clear in his targeting of Wanderers’ fans as the offenders this time around.
“The behaviour of some fans and, in particular, a section of the Western Sydney Wanderers fans at last night’s match was unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Gallop said.
“FFA is currently compiling all reports from Victorian Police, stadium security and both clubs before deciding what action to take.
“This is a clear reminder of the type of people we do not want in our game and that will be reflected in the final outcomes of our enquiries.
“FFA is currently undertaking a review of the security and banning procedures to ensure a fair process for fans who are identified as misbehaving but will not waver from protecting the safety of spectators.
“Finding that balance during the banning process is central to our review but last night’s events should be a reminder that the actions of a minority can damage the reputation and image of the game.
“That is why we will continue to identify and ban troublemakers.”
It is a particularly strong stance for the FFA to take after fan groups boycotted A-League games earlier this season for what they saw as unfair banning procedures from the game’s governing body.
Mediation eventually brought a hold to the bans, but this action looks set to put the fan groups and the FFA at loggerheads once more.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.