It’s sure to be scrapbooked as one of the most iconic images of any Sydney Derby – yet should the FFA unglove the iron fist, the Cove’s euphoric celebration of Alex Brosque’s winner could have fans making a different kind of noise.
The FFA would have sat down to investigate in the aftermath of the incident that saw a pocket of Sky Blue faithful spill over the advertising boards to join their captain in post-goal merrymaking.
By the letter of the law, it’s the sort of revelry that could cost those Sydney supporters up to $5500 each in fines, as well as the football fan’s death sentence that is a stadium ban.
But is this investigation a necessary duty of care responsibility, or another telltale sign of the growing nanny state mentality of the FFA?
According to the two coaches involved in Saturday’s derby, it’s an issue that will have most people, um, sitting on the fence.
Western Sydney Wanderers boss Tony Popovic, perhaps through bitter lips, condemned the situation.
“You don’t want to see that. That’s why we have security at venues and you want to put a stop to that,” he said.
In the opposite dugout, Graham Arnold was more willing to lean on context.
“Look, that just shows you how much it meant to our fans to beat West Sydney,” the Sydney FC manager explained.
Of course, there’s certainly merit to both viewpoints.
I’ll be firm in saying that rules are in place to prevent the worst from happening, and so in that respect it’s hard to argue against having those sorts of mechanisms in place.
We’ve seen enough stadium tragedies to warrant taking every possible preventative measure, no matter how hard-nosed or unpragmatic they may seem. Though there is a point when that stubbornness should make way for common sense and reason.
Illegal or not, what happened after Brosque’s goal was such an organically special moment, a befitting crescendo to what is fast becoming one of Australian sport’s biggest draw cards. The fabled ban would no doubt be widely denounced as overkill; a knee-jerk reaction to something that arguably should be knocked on the head at worst.
Though by the same token, it would be unfair to ignore precedents that have been set in the past.
It’s an unenviable decision to make and one that’s bound to have its critics no matter what the solution. The most counterproductive outcome however would be one that feeds into the media-paddled moral panic of football hooliganism.
Terrace support, at its best and purest, is a tribal affair. It’s about doing away with any notions of individualism and being a part of something bigger than oneself. But there’s a forever growing agenda that iron brands football tribalism with danger.
Sure, there will always be idiots. Though that’s as true for life as it is for football – or any sport for that matter. Those who have earned the right to call themselves fans will know that support of a club is borne out of passion not spite; camaraderie, not malevolence.
At a time when the A-League is breaking new ground, an irrational or hasty decision from the FFA could give fuel to a fire that shouldn’t be burning. Unfortunately, the suits on Oxford Street are developing an unfortunate knack of taking one step forward and two steps back, and biting the hand that feeds them in the process.
The success of the FFA Cup’s introduction, for example, was tarnished by the fiasco that surrounded the Melbourne Knight’s complaint to the Human Rights Commission.
Football in this country has never been more scrutinised and it’s a positive sign that we’re continuing to ask questions both on and off the field. The next step, naturally, is finding the right answers.
Let’s just hope the FFA know what they’re doing this time round.
Bondy
Guest
Just another landmark moment for Australian Football , ( http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/melbourne-derby-set-to-sell-out-with-record-47000-fans-expected-to-converge-on-etihad-stadium/story-fnk9a3dc-1227097972413
Knightblues
Guest
the solution is a simple one, simply put up high mesh fences about 20 feet high behind each of the goals
AR
Guest
Ahh Punter, forever missing the point. I expressly cited the Serbia incident as the extreme example (one that obviousy doesnt apply here...i even clarified my post) and expressly stated my support of the SFC incident being treated for what it was - not much. But by all means, continue to miss the point, and rail against the 'enemy'.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Yes I know that. What I am saying is if they are prepared to let this incident go they should lift the ban imposed on our supporters.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Peter Hoare. Interesting bloke. Had beers with him occasionally (I didn't know who he was).
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
I don't mind a bit of waffle, especially if ....Tara is on ....
Amir
Guest
Should just fine the club (Sydney FC) for failing to manage their crowd. Going after each person and reviewing footage and tracking people down will be unnecessary and such over kill it would be laughable. If my memory serves me correctly the guy that ended up hitting Rio Ferdinand with a coin was hit with a 5 year ban and that is pretty much borderline assault. If we're going to start handing out 5 year bans for what seemed like a large number of kids aged 16-20 that jumped the fence showcasing their passion, we aren't going to have much fans left in the stadium that don't wear suits. Waste of resources to investigate the incident, happens in the EPL every week and look at Manchester City supporters running onto the field when they won the EPL 2 years ago, it's just passion no malice. FFA should just move on and fine the club $100 000 with $80 000 suspended for failing to control their crowd. If it happens again the fines double and the club can take the discretion to go after the fans. If someone does run onto the field and assaults a referee or player well that is totally different then.
Justin Mahon
Roar Rookie
Agree, big fences cause massive safety problems - as do pitch invasions. We should have neither. The appropriate response is to heavily sanction people who jump small fences.
Justin Mahon
Roar Rookie
Even if ignorance WAS the cause, it is prescriptively ruled out as a legal defence. Don't even bother making that argument.
Justin Mahon
Roar Rookie
MVFC fans got bans a few years back for a similar situation. There's the precedent.
Justin Mahon
Roar Rookie
Yep. Bottom line is whatever one's personal view, it is an offence. As are flares. Not just a breach of the FFA 'Terms of Entry' but an offence under law. Bans handed out to heaps of MVFC fans previously. Need to do the same here. Lastly, anyone with a long enough memory knows why ground invasions are prohibited. Its ultimately a massive safety issue and one football fans in particular should respect.
Mark
Guest
The worst attempt at starting another code war I've seen. Your mother would be ashamed.
Bondy
Guest
Leo Its about containing the sport here in Australia hiding it pretending it doesn't exist, which for them is getting harder and harder .
Bondy
Guest
Mo Cup tie's on tonight on Fox sports 2 Pre Game waffle starts at 7 .00 pm.
Josh
Guest
Maybe not, but seeing fans banned for 5 years for carrying on like prawns will make up for it.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I love my active support as much the next person but subgroups make me laugh. Unless they're made for comedic or charitable reasons, I don't see any value in them.
Ian
Guest
found out from a friend who is close to the club is that an old member of the River City Collective (the tiny brigage of ultra wannabes who held up signs against Mulvey and Ange) lit the flare under the tifo in the game against Adelaide so the smoke couldn't escape. unfortunately i was buying food at the time of this incident. (i thought the RCC were gone anyway). so as above it is correct the Roar want the culprit identified who lit this flare or no tifos for the time being. for the record when i was in section 333 with my wife and young daughter i never noticed anything untoward from The Den in 332 towards sections 333 or 331.
Squire
Guest
Rest assured, if nothing comes of this, there will be an RBB pitch invasion at Pirtek next derby. Deservedly so. I'll even jump the fence first.
Squire
Guest
RBBA those bans weren't lifted. Blokes received 5 year bans for it.
Roarfan
Guest
Arnold, 'pitch invasion' is the operative statement and speaks for itself.