Football Federation Australia appears to have made peace with angry A-League supporters, agreeing to allow fans banned from stadiums to view evidence used against them in a major change to their unpopular banning policy.
Following a heated four-hour meeting with representatives from all 10 active supporter groups in Sydney on Wednesday night, FFA chief executive David Gallop announced numerous in-principal alterations to its long-time policy.
Instead of a “ban” notice, fans will be issued with an “intention to ban” notice and allowed to see the evidence against them.
That includes retrospectively the 198 people already banned, if the evidence against them still exists.
If the ban is maintained, they will then have an opportunity to see an independent panel at a later date.
“Obviously there’s some fine-tuning that needs to happen, but I’m pleased to say that representatives of all 10 clubs’ fan groups were there tonight and endorsed those changes,” Gallop said.
Gallop said one the finer details that still needed work was evidence given to FFA on the basis of anonymity.
The changes form part of a review of FFA’s appeals policy promised last week by new chairman Steven Lowy and to be finalised at the next board meeting in February.
The organisation’s overhaul is a significant departure from the uncompromising and hardline stance regarding confidentiality of evidence the governing body had maintained right up until Wednesday.
A transparent appeals process whereby the onus of proof lies with FFA has been a crucial demand of furious fans who have walked out of games and last weekend stepped up their protests to full-match boycotts.
The rage stemmed from News Corp Australia’s outing of a leaked list of 198 banned fans late last month and mushroomed due to FFA’s perceived unwillingness to show leadership and stand up for football supporters.
Gallop could not say for certain whether the breakthrough meeting was enough to stop fans from continuing their match boycotts for a second successive week.
But he described the breakthrough meeting as productive, albeit underpinned by “some strong feelings” and “robust debate”.
About 30 fans from across the 10 clubs united to attend the unprecedented roundtable, attended by Gallop and A-League head Damien De Bohun.
Also in attendance was former Socceroo and now Fox Sports pundit Mark Bosnich, who it’s understood organised and partly funded the exercise, while Fox Sports’ Adam Peacock MC’d the occasion.
Supporter groups plan to issue a statement indicating their position on Thursday.
Earlier on Wednesday, FFA also partly placated A-League clubs’ agitated owners and chairmen in what was Lowy’s first formal monthly meeting in the role.
Discussions focussed on marketing, broadcast, financial transparency and fan discontent.
Some chairmen have been campaigning for change, unhappy with the direction FFA has been taking, particularly with the A-League.
Most declined to comment, but were said to be impressed with Lowy’s ability to engage and listen.
Melbourne Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro, who last week slammed FFA for fostering a culture of “mediocrity”, labelled the meeting a good start.
“But there is a challenge ahead,” Di Pietro said.
“All the pressing matters were discussed and there appeared to be a collegiate approach in the room, which in my opinion is the only approach.”
marron
Roar Guru
Never about a news article Read the statements by the groups for heavens sake and look at what they wanted because the things you list weren't on there. so called fans - you do know what fan means I hope, although I suppose I could be forgiven for not assuming you do given your continued blitheful ignorance on other matters.
Midfielder
Guest
Justin You saw it all before us and congrats to you....
Midfielder
Guest
Punter You and I have been on the Roar for a very long time and have seen the change in coverage especially over the last 3 years .... I started posting about 12 months ago the media landscape had changed and maybe 4 months ago posted I no longer read the posts of certain posters as whatever their motives the abuse. divide, criticize and confuse style of posting is totally Irrelevant, Insignificant, and Inconsequential today ... 3 years ago it still was but today of no importance at all... if anything it adds to the clicks ...
Punter
Guest
Great comments by you & Mid. Not only do we have yes strong media types, we have strong bloggers too.
Punter
Guest
Well said Mid & my thanks to you too Towser & JB.
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Yeah if Bosnich was there observing and Peacock MC'ing, means the FFA can't quietly go back on their word or at least makes it harder to quietly claw back "losses" without being held up on it As for Wilson and Jones, they are speaking to an older auidence who won't go anyway and confirmation bias Market segmentation pretty much takes care of any institutional bias to isolate the game, eg no one screws Soccer like 7 probably can't quite happen these days Ultimately it's not just about the levels of surveillance, it's about a proportionate and suitably sophisticated policing/security approach. A-League crowds by Football standards are easy to manage
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
@ Boris, it would have come up, as we see through a "32 FFA own goals" this had been building for a while @ Fuss, Ultimately though it's like a recession, clears out the malinvestments and inefficiencies (in use of money) In this case, we had a transition at senior level, and Wilson article stimulated the the debate that needed to be had She probably thinks she caused chaos but really once the changes and reforms take effect it actually makes for a stronger and healthier game down the line Holds for A-League Chairman requests as much as fans requests
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Well, you have to consider we had heaps of talks around the time of these forums a few years back and nothing happend + when MV fans developed a terrace system in conjunction with MV admin the FFA overrode it Then there's the old "we won't be dictated to by fans attitude" The fact this has happened at the same time as the owners and ALL fans are united, plus there's a change in Chairman, FFA seem to realise a change in approach is needed so personally I don't envisage any complications come the end of February
Towser
Guest
Thanks MId, the main reason I post on on here is with the intention of using my football knowledge to activate ideas on how football in Australia can continue to improve, after all in the end that's what all genuine football fans want.
Boris
Guest
The football community was quite divided for a time, that is the fans and the administration, but that appears to be passing. And I agree that the outcome will be a far more united Australian football community. Wilso might have to dream up a new angle or find something new to aggravate people with.
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/12/03/could-the-negative-media-actually-be-a-positive-for-football/
Midfielder
Guest
Tow AS always very wise council re Steve and the new slate and the opposite effect than the Bourbon Queen wanted.... Strangely I was penning an article I have had to keep changing as events emerge and change .... but I personally think the last 8 [yes 8 weeks] has seen a pandemic change and I have never felt more confident about Football in Australia thank I do now.. more when the article is published ... however if the collapse of the NSL was stage 1, the A-League stage 2, entering Asia stage 3, the last 8 weeks has been the beginning of stage 4 ... The evolution is about to pick up pace much faster than anyone in sport is thinking ... in many ways similar to just prior to the start of the A-League ... no one even remotely believed how successful it would become so quickly .. Just in passing huge thanks to both you and JB who after a while came back to the Roar a couple of years back ... both your past knowledge and writing ability is more important than you think .. Cheers...
Midfielder
Guest
Dean Once upon a time you were right .... but two things have changed and this is mainly down to Gallop ... Football is mainstream today meaning two things which are so so so so so so so different to before.. 1] We have a very strong and of reasonable size media of our own maybe Simon Hill, Bozza & Fozzie are still the leaders but there heaps of other journalist writing on Football, added its sites like the Roar and 442 . 2] The Bourbon Queen and Public Toilet Boy and the Queen Bee in Mexico are small in number and most of the journalist today don't buy into Football bashing today ... not if their owners wanta make money...
Midfielder
Guest
+99999999999999999
Kaks
Roar Guru
" it’s gonna be the ugly fringes vs the bad 90s tribal tatts" Hahahaha! Too true!
AVictory
Guest
+1 I'd like to personally thank Rebecca Wilson for uniting the football community and making it stronger. These outcomes are great for the A-League and Australian football, they wouldn't have happened without her!
Hulk
Guest
"Just to make sure those Melbourne boys know they’re No.2." Don't forget the game in hand ;) And agree Kaks, it's gonna be the ugly fringes vs the bad 90s tribal tatts lol
FIUL
Guest
So far I've only heard people, who don't understand football history in Australia, unable to see this as a major breakthrough moment. Congratulations to the fans who showed the courage to stand up for their rights. Congratulations to FFA hierarchy for listening & accepting they got it completely wrong.
FIUL
Guest
She'd be rubbing her hands if she divided the football community. But, she's had the complete opposite impact. Her attack on football has brought fans & administration closer than they've ever been in my life in Australia. Donald Trump is having the same impact in America. His hate-filled rants are bringing disparate groups together - Muslims, Jews, African Americans.
Dean
Guest
How long til the next News Ltd article sparks another outburst from the chip on the shoulder brigade? Honestly, what really came of the meeting, the FFA will be a little more open in providing evidence. The demand for more evidence for bans might just mean an increase in surveillance though. What these so-called fans really wanted was less surveillance, less supervision and less penalties. Nothing seems to have been solved, but the so-called supporter groups got to sit in a room with Gallup and complain. I'm sure they went back to the office this morning and said 'nothing changes, but lets speak nicer to them'.