Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic is disappointed his A-League team has copped a suspended 12-month three-point deduction, but was optimistic fans would not give FFA a reason to trigger the punishment.
The first-placed Wanderers were handed the suspended 12-month penalty along with a $50,000 fine on Thursday, after troublemaking away fans ripped flares and set off detonators inside Etihad Stadium during Saturday night’s clash with Melbourne Victory.
“We’re obviously disappointed with the sanction that’s been handed down, but it’s one we have to accept,” Popovic said.
“We’re very optimistic that moving forward things will be much better.
“There’s nothing we can do about it now, we have to move forward.”
Popovic said he was proud of his young club and highlighted its special bond with passionate fans, however he echoed CEO John Tsatsimas’ message that those who lit flares were not welcome.
“If people aren’t our fans, well they shouldn’t come to our games,” he said.
“If people want to throw flares, it’s illegal, they shouldn’t come to our games.
“If they want to support our team with a passion that we’ve seen home and away, please come because we love seeing you there.
“I certainly love seeing them there from the sideline.”
FFA were close to taking the dramatic step of docking the Wanderers three points straight up had it not been for the club’s strong response to their show-cause notice and Tsatsimas’ unforgiving condemnation of misbehaving fans.
Any activation of the penalty would be a massive blow to Popovic’s premiership contenders, who lead Brisbane on goal difference and have the rest of the top six hot on their heels.
But the coach said no one in the squad was feeling any heightened pressure to increase their lead to cater for any potential loss of points.
“If we’re going to look at it like that then for the next 12 months we’ve always got to look at what points we’ve got and make sure we’re three ahead,” Popovic said.
“We won’t even talk about that or consider that.
“I’m confident and optimistic it will never get to that.
“We’ve just got to keep playing the way we’re are, we’re on top of the table for a reason – because we’re playing very good football.”
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