The FFA’s belated press conference on Thursday was what football fans should have heard more than 10 days ago.
It condemned anti-football reports, it announced the FFA would review its banned fans policy, and it rightly stood by banishing those who smear the game’s image.
Yet it was 10 days too late.
Every football fan knows it was a belated response, and thus the words have been consumed with derision and scepticism. But if that same press conference had been held on the Monday following The Sunday Telegraph‘s initial report, this whole mess would likely have been avoided.
The press conference was nowhere near perfect – it still sounded condescending at times – but that is to be expected from any governing body that is frantically back-peddling amid fan unrest.
Steven Lowy’s first appearance as chairman was less than inspiring, and his belief that “getting angry and frustrated isn’t getting us anywhere” did more harm than good.
At least an admission of fault was offered.
“We got it wrong,” Gallop said. “We should have come out earlier. The Sunday Telegraph article unfairly tarnished decent football people… We got it wrong, and we should have recognised that.”
Yet most fans still hear empty promises. And they cannot be blamed. The FFA has lost trust and credibility and must deliver over the next few months to claw it back.
Gallop said the FFA board would be presented with a proposal to review the banned fans policy, and that a new policy would be finalised in February next year. Given the complexity of the issue, and the upcoming Christmas and New Years break, that is not an unacceptable turnaround.
Two months to fix a flawed system that has alienated fans to the extent of widespread protests? That is surely the minimum amount of time anyone can demand if they want the new proposal to take in all stakeholders’ opinions and arrive at an appropriate solution.
A rushed approach is the last thing Australian football needs.
Yet it is not quick enough for some, with Melbourne Victory’s active support group the North Terrace sending out a swift response which called the “out of touch” FFA’s latest communication a “blatant deflection”.
The supporter group have promised to boycott matches “indefinitely”.
So what now?
The initial boycotts were aimed at drawing a response from the FFA; to address the banned fan policy and to show a united front with football fans against agenda-driven, ignorant media reporting.
The protestors’ demands have been answered, to a degree. In all fairness, the FFA has done all it can do in the short term, even if it appears inadequate. Anything they do from here will be too late, anything they say will be criticised. There is little point engaging in name-slinging with Rebecca Wilson and Alan Jones, instead the FFA has much more important work to do behind closed doors.
In two months, come the February board meeting, fans will have a better picture of how to judge the FFA.
So it is uncertain what boycotts will achieve from here if demands for a review of the banning process have been answered. There are other issues, of course, with growing concerns over the governing of Australian football.
The Wellington Phoenix’s uncertain future, the fallout from handing licences to owners without due diligence, the PFA stoush, the silencing of Ange Postecoglou, the NCIP, and complaints at a grassroots level have all caused a build up of animosity. Not to mention the shocking lack of leadership over the past 10 days. Those issues must remain highlighted.
However, most fan groups have focused solely on the banned fans, of which the majority, let’s not forget, are more than likely guilty. It does not excuse an unfair policy, but the offences must not be dismissed.
I support a fair process, but I certainly do not “Stand by the 198”. I stand by the innocent, but not those who have no love for football and more love for causing trouble.
Boycotts last weekend were necessary, and this weekend’s plans should remain regardless of the FFA’s renewed response. But beyond that?
In-game protests would surely send out a much more powerful and visual message than empty stands.
The FFA has already lost the fans, the clubs do not deserve to lose them too.
Lowy and Gallop must act strongly and promptly. The FFA are guilty until proven innocent, ironically, and in two months fans will see the first piece of evidence in their defence.
The governing body must shed the autocratic approach adopted under Frank Lowy and engage with all stakeholders. It must answer questions surrounding its leadership and if necessary make personnel changes. But it also needs time to make these changes.
In February comes the first test, failure to deliver and boycotts will once again be warranted.
RichardB
Guest
As a CCM Supporter (age 65) I feel safer at Wanderers amongst Wanderers fans than facing the thugs who make up much of the security force and many of the police. Trusting security and police and security to do the right thing, and that the majority of the 198 are guilty because these folks say so, is naive indeed. The over the top security, and the comments from senior officers (we are all grubs!), are part of the problem. They need to be brought under control. And as for "guilty until you can prove your innocent". Well, just idiotic, unfair, and so misguided. Designed to put the Active support offside.
marron
Roar Guru
Jb, I know what you are saying isn't this, but it reads like: bans don't matter, because you can just ignore them. And as a regular at Parramatta on game day, I don't have to wonder how they are policed because getting in through Gate C - the only gate you can enter the northern end - is like fort knox with police and security and cameras everywhere, including hatamoto guys in plainclothes who have no doubt studied the ban sheets studiously.
jbinnie
Guest
AZ- I take your point but------- Have you ever wondered how the FFA police their bans? for if I was really desperate to join my mates and had been banned I would simply wait a week or two,go along to the game as an individual,and enter without using my season pass.Once inside I would imagine it would be difficult for anyone to track my whereabouts. Now I know that doesn't address the root cause of the protest (no appeal process) but it does highlight the difficulty in keeping "unwanted" individuals out of a ground. Expensive too,after having purchased that membership but not impossible to bypass.jb
marron
Roar Guru
Techincally of course you are right MF. The difference being that FFA aren't denying entry to a person for the night. They are denying any sort of participation in FFA sanctioned football, for a number of years. And to do so they are employing security cowboys to follow people the rest of the week. It's like the SCG sending someone to looking over someone's back fence, spotting the lack of collared shirts on the clothesline, and telling them they can't watch cricket for 5 years.
Ac
Guest
To be honest and to be fair this whole thing has got out of control. Is the issue that 198 people are locked out Or the issue that it was leaked? The FFA have a right and a duty of care to the majority of fans if the 198 were displaying bad conduct. As far as the leak goes well that isn't a good sign in behalf of the FFA. This whole saga now has taken the spotlight Away from the game itself.
Punter
Guest
EXACTLY!!!!!
al
Guest
Football Australia should be run by European Football experts who understand the spirit of the game. Stop employing Australians who come from other sports.
Simoc
Guest
Its great that the baddies boycott the games. They're not wanted and the sport can grow minus the poorly behaved minority with the biggest mouths. If they can find a free to air big screen broadcast and shout at it. They can enjoy themselves with their pettiness without offending others.
Simoc
Guest
Its great that the baddies boycott the games. They're not wanted and the sport can grow minus the poorly behaved minority with the biggest mouths. They belong in Esports where someone might care about them. Better still if they find a free to air big screen broadcast and shout at it. They can enjoy themselves with their pettiness without offending others.
Mark
Guest
Wasn't saying that to denigrate football fans, of which I am one. It's slightly humorous actually. That event is more of an indictment of racism in Italian society than anything else
BtoPower3
Guest
Julian Cumbo, "First it was an email - I thought it was a joke from a friend," Julian said. "Two days later, I got a knock on the door from two people, males, stating that they're from FFA handing me the papers, and didn't say nothing, smiled and walked away. "Same thing happened the week later, same two gentleman, and for a good six months, every single week, handed me the exact same papers - same people that followed me from work."Julian Cumbo Are you serious? This is unbelievable. If this is real, you should report to the police for harrasement or defamation. The evidence is very strong. Firstly, the email. Then the list on the newspaper. Also, you must have copies of the letter received every week. I am not sure you have criminal record or not. Even so, no one (FFA, security firm, newspaper or police) can do this to you. You should report to the police.
AR
Guest
You realise that comment is exactly the same as someone describing all ALeague fans as violent hooligans..? Ironic, no?
AR
Guest
Actually, the fan already has a lifetime ban from Domain Stadium. In terms of a lifetime ban from all AFL venues around the country, the AFL has said it intends to do that but was waiting for the legal process to run its course (not sure why) before making it official.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
And if your mate was driving?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
@15 metres is needed for a mark Soccer is a fine game, enjoyed by billions around the world, not all of whom are necessarily illiterate. You will find that there are many games which do not end in nil-all draws and are certainly worthwhile watching. In fact, having had three nil-all draws out of their last four games, SFC finally broke through last night for a 1-0 victory before 9,000 fans.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
AZ but this isn't a matter of statute or the criminal code - we're talking about a private operator's right to deny entry to anyone they view as being involved in undesreable behaviour (just as you can't get into the SCG members without a collar, for example, they have the right to deny entry).
AZ_RBB
Guest
But tell me jb how many of these strict liability offences have repercussions which can last up to 10 years? Every strict liability offence I know is punishable by fines and more only after many repeat offences. In every case you are shown the evidence as well.
jbinnie
Guest
Janek - Don't know if you reside in this country or not,and whether you wrote this headline, but whether we like it or not there are instances,apparently under the law, where the adage"guilty until proven innocent" happens on countless occasions all around the country every day of the week..The simplest one of course is the "speeding ticket" ,where you get stopped and told you have been travelling over the allowed rate of progress, your "speed" having been calculated by an electronic machine which may or may not be calibrated correctly..You can of course "fight" the charge but law costs being what they are it is easier just to pay,and surprise ,surprise,John or Jane Public apparently just accept that form of "Guilty until proven innocent" or perhaps it may be that they may know they have been "over the limit".!!!!! jb
FIUL
Guest
Oh dear. The delusions of grandeur of the AFL fan. After 100 years the sport can't gain any traction outside 3 states in Australia, but they still think it's the best in the world. IF you offer someone a product & they say "thanks, but no thanks" you really have to ask yourself: is this product as good as I think it is? Cricket was introduced to many countries in Europe & Sth America at the same time as football - some of the world's greatest FCs were started by British ex-pats who formed cricket clubs, but also wanted to play sport in winter. So, why is it that cricket never gained traction in those European & Sth American countries, but football did? Here's a hint... maybe, the locals thought "one sport is crap; the other is beautiful in its simplicity & purity"?
Punter
Guest
AFL is big, huge in 4 states in the whole world, not much outside of that, Football is played & followed in every corner in the world, that tells a big story, mmmmmm.