In light of the past week, where A-League club the Western Sydney Wanderers’ active supporter group the Red and Black Bloc have been subjected to draconian proposed crowd restrictions by police, it is time to look at how antisocial behaviour is approached across the codes.
The proposed restrictions include absurd rules such as ‘no clapping above the head’, ‘no swearing’ and ‘no standing shoulder to shoulder/jumping in the terrace’.
Are fans allowed to breathe at Pirtek Stadium anymore? They are restrictions that ultimately are trying to destroy the unique atmosphere created by one of the most boisterous terraces in the league. This is further highlighted by the warning that ‘play could be delayed’ if some of these ‘guidelines’ are not adhered to.
Watching the AFL preliminary final between Fremantle and Hawthorn at Domain Stadium last night made a few things even more apparent to me. There are extreme displays of antisocial behaviour at other sports codes, the approach however is inconsistent.
Never once have I seen a woman physically assaulted at an A-League game before. Can you imagine if this was seen in the crowd at a Western Sydney Wanderers game?
I’m not a Wanderers fan for the record, however have attended a game at Pirtek Stadium in the past. The police presence I witnessed at that game was not only overkill, but would likely be doubled (if that’s even possible) if such an occurrence took place at Pirtek.
A common theme at Western Sydney and Melbourne Victory games is the presence of riot police lining the bays all around the stadium, not just the active supporter groups. Last night the fans near the fence displayed behaviour that was totally unacceptable in what is prided by authorities so often as the ‘family friendly code’.
A fan feigning to hit an opposition player trying to slow down near the fence was disgusting. This man would’ve been kicked out in a split second an A-League fixture.
Another fan leaned over the fence to excessively scream at Luke Breust who had landed awkwardly on the fence. Again, if it happened in the A-League, it would be front page news.
Although it has never been permitted to swear at sports games, the proposal to clamp down on Western Sydney Wanderers fans displaying this behaviour leads me to wholeheartedly expect authorities to take such a measure with any sports club, of any code, whose fans are displaying the same actions.
I’ve seen the actions of the mentioned fans from last night dismissed as creating an amazing atmosphere. Threatening to hit a player and getting in opposition players’ faces when they’re near the fence is now apparently atmosphere.
Another one of the new rules is a prohibition on marching through Parramatta towards Pirtek Stadium. Well I expect now that next time Fremantle fans congregate pre-game at a pub that they will by no means be allowed by police to walk to the ground in a large group.
If the authorities are serious about creating this ideal, family-friendly utopia at sports games, they will try and clamp down on grub fans of other football codes just as firmly.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Probably best to read the CEO statement up on the website. But basically everything is back to normal.
wanderingkooka
Guest
Haven't seen anything reported about this announcement. Did you hear anything AZ ?
AZ_RBB
Guest
NSW Police to make an announcement at 2:30 re WSW. FFA and Venues NSW to be involved as well. Let's see what they say. Regardless, the support from all corners of the football community has been really appreciated. I'm sure my fellow Wanderers would agree.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Good thing we have gun control in Australia hey marty, who knows what might have happened if all the aussie rules umps who have been bashed at amateur level over the years had a pistol in the change rooms. I did like your additions in the comments section though, very balanced and wise as usual.
JR Salazar
Guest
Yes.
Martyn50
Guest
"But, until the AFL admits it has a problem, nothing will change" Is this not a problem? Referee Gabriel Murta pulls a gun during soccer match in Brazil. Reports suggest that Murta was kicked and slapped by some Amantes de Bola players as the manager raced onto the field to demand a red card.Mr Murta, who is a policeman, however decided to take matters into his own hands and went to the locker room and return with a gun. Heres the link http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/football/referee-gabriel-murta-pulls-a-gun-during-soccer-match-in-brazil/story-fnhq5z8s-1227549897752
BigAl
Guest
Don't worry about it ! You are forgiven for what you know not...
Ian
Guest
Of course Bart thinks the booing of Goodes was not racially motivated. Why is anyone not surprised? Shameful defending on racial abuse and violence at AFL but you are on repeat that there is a victim mentality in soccer. Bless you Bart. because you need a good blessing.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I just think the AFL didn't do enough (or anything really) with the Goodes abuse. Whereas in the past the FFA has often done too much with anti social behaviour in its game. I'll leave it at that. And no. It's like they want us to stop booing so they've told us to stop clapping, stop jumping, stop marching, stop standing and stop doing anything that doesn't fit into their idea of what football fans should be like.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
I know of Goodes, but know not off this Sam Mitchell, does he play AFL?
AR
Guest
The Goodes booing was shameful. But I agree that of you tell a large crowd not to boo, they're likely to boo. It's why the AFL took long to address it - many people who attend AFL games have nothing but disdain for the AFL.
bart
Guest
Wrong, most people boooed him to put him off his game, as they boo Sam Mitchell and a myriad of other players. Try telling people to stop booing and the first thing they will do is boo more, just like the police are trying tell the Wanderers fans what to do.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I would assume most people booed Goodes cos the blokes next to them were booing him. At its foundation it was racially motivated regardless of whether every person involved had that intention. The fact that next to nothing was done about it was unacceptable and I don't understand how people stand by and defend the inaction.
bart
Guest
Well unless you have gone to a AFL game where Goodes has been playing your views are just that, however much of your post i agree with. If you think that most people booood Goodes because off his race you would be dead wrong, just like anti social behaviour at games it would have been a tiny minority.
AZ_RBB
Guest
The way I see it. Every sport and league in Australia has issues with anti social behaviour. From what I've seen the FFA has done the most to deal with it in their own sport. Sometimes, in my opinion, gone too far. But they've worked harder at it than any other sporting organisation bar maybe Cricket Australia. The NRL and AFL have a long way to go. The manner in which the governing body turned a blind eye to the racial abuse of Adam Goodes is a disgrace and I expect better from arguably the biggest sporting organisation in the land.
bart
Guest
Your views are tainted and worthless, although it must be said the grey army on here love em, god bless em.
bart
Guest
Soccer victim mentality
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I've attended 300-400 VFL & AFL matches, plus a dozen or so Grand Finals. Unless you lived in Victoria during the 1970s, 80s & 90s you would not have attended as many VFL & AFL matches as I have.
Bondy
Guest
Martyn50 How is Majak ?, got bail yet has he ? .
Justin Mahon
Guest
There have been academic analysis of the difference in media reportage between codes. You don't have to take it from a random on the Internet. Actual,academic papers using peer-reviewed methodologies have stated it to be a fact. No football fan here need defend that position. There is no debate to be had.