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Brett Hull once said, “The fans are the most important part of the game. Without them, there is no game.”
Over the past season, the issue of flares has tainted the A-League, leading to a divide between fans and officials.
The A-League cannot afford this type of rift, and must work with these fans in order to achieve a peaceful outcome, and to preserve football in Australia.
The incidence of flares has been a recent issue for the A-League, but it is not the flares themselves, but the handling of the issue, which needs to be addressed.
More football:
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The FFA has been harsh with fans who let off flares, claiming they are a negative influence on the game, and has promised to expel them.
This was clearly demonstrated by the banning of 198 people from A-League matches, with spectators’ further irked when their names were leaked to the media.
FFA chief executive David Gallop’s response was harsh and hard-hitting. However, it was not the right line for the FFA to take if it wants to succeed.
Its handling of the incidents have generalised entire fan-bases of certain clubs, and the hardline approach has created a barrier between fans and officials.
While the FFA has introduced measures for a supporter’s right to appeal at games, the precedence has now been set in terms of how the A-League is perceived by the media and the casual football fan.
By doing this, and openly admonishing the ‘ultra’ supporters, as well as grouping them with the normal fan, the FFA is simply adding fuel to the already burning fire of anger and frustration residing within the supporters across various clubs.
A-League clubs have a vast array of supporters, with families a main marketing point. A majority of supporters are well-behaved, passionate and in love with the game of football. Generalising all these supporters with those who light flares and start fights will only push them to act out, seen throughout the crowd walk-outs from Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United.
These incidents are sparked from fans feeling repressed, and their voices not being heard. It gives them a forum to have their opinions voiced.
Another key issue has been the media. The leaking the 198 fans’ names by Rebecca Wilson not only affected the A-League, but the personal lives of said fans, with some even losing their jobs due to this breach of privacy.
Tom Elliott’s more recent controversial article, again generalising the fans, advocated changes to the role of goalkeeper, abolishing the “silly offside rule” and expanding goals. This was met with overpowering criticism from supporters, angered at his overstated generalisations and accusations of supporters’ “stupidity”.
Alan Jones went even further when he linked A-League violence towards the terrorist attacks in Paris.
A-League games have been painted as a dangerous place to be, similar to walking down a dark alley at midnight with your small children in a dodgy suburb.
While some, such as Waleed Ali, say they feel safe at games, and barely noticed the flares as it was such a small portion of the crowd, it has done little to quell the image painted by the media.
The FFA needs to step in, and to support these fans, rather than punishing them. Casual viewers are beginning to see A-League matches as gang war zones, which is simply not the case.
If the FFA does not showcase its product as brilliant and enjoyable, then the picture of danger and despair will continue to creep into the average Australian’s perception.
The A-League’s fans and supporters are the lifeblood of the game. They add an unheard of spectacle in Australia, with an amazing culture and atmospheric vibe. Their chants, songs and passion are a sight to see, and with the correct marketing the casual viewer will be more inclined to experience football live.
For this to occur, the FFA needs to work alongside the fans to rid the game of the small population who cause disturbances through flares and fights, rather than generalising all fans into one category.
This has already been vaguely seen through a tweet in which they criticised Channel Ten for their “inaccuracy” in “misrepresent[ing] the majority of fans”. More of this needs to be seen from the FFA.
Follow Dylan on Twitter @dylcarmody77
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