The A-League’s active support went to extreme measures to have their voices heard over the FFA’s much-maligned banning process, yet now they must unite again to condemn minorities who continue to tarnish the game’s reputation.
From holding a position of indifference to flares, having witnessed their beauty at European football games, seeing smoke billowing across Docklands Stadium on Saturday night was infuriating.
The biggest disruption came in the 12th minute when a number of ripped flares forced referee Ben Williams to call a halt to the Western Sydney Wanderers’ visit to Melbourne Victory.
The Wanderers had been on top at that point, yet following the restart Victory took the lead through Besart Berisha. Were those the actions of true fans? Disrupting their team’s flow to allow the opposition a chance to regroup and hit back almost immediately?
Australia has decided it will not stand with parts of Europe and South America in accepting flares at football games, and that must be respected.
More football:
» FFA must dock the Wanderers competition points
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» Fan issues escalate: FFA charge Wanderers with bringing game into disrepute
» A-League fans have shot themselves in the foot
Considering the FFA will meet in just weeks with the intention to review their banning process, with the possibility of introducing an appeals avenue, the events from Saturday’s game is mind-boggling.
Many of the 190-odd fans were blacklisted for allegedly committing flare offences and the latest use of pyro has undermined the fan protests from last year.
This was clear provocation, executed by football ‘fans’ with little regard for the game they supposedly love and their fellow supporters.
Football, all sports for that matter, will always contain a dickhead element. But it is time for the A-League’s supporter groups to unite in their disdain for such unsavoury characters. They campaigned for the FFA to hear their grievances, now they must show they deserve to be treated as joint stakeholders.
Coverage of the latest flare usage is not another media beat-up, the topic is entirely relevant given the proximity of the FFA’s upcoming general meeting.
And, yes, there were more than 80 evictions at the Sydney Sevens across the weekend. Worse than a few flares, definitely, but it is not of football fans’ concern.
Maintaining our own game’s reputation is all that matters.
There appeared to be no evictions following the flare frenzy, yet FFA chief executive David Gallop made it clear sanctions would be handed out under the previous policy.
“The behaviour of some fans and in particular a section of the Western Sydney Wanderers fans at last night’s match was unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Gallop said.
“FFA is currently compiling all reports from Victorian Police, stadium security and both clubs before deciding what action to take.
“This is a clear reminder of the type of people we do not want in our game and that will be reflected in the final outcomes of our inquiries.”
What was most galling about the recent episode was the apparent lack of self-policing from the RBB, as well as the gloating from some members on social media following the match. That is at the root of the problem and the roadblock to any future resolution.
And it is not just the RBB, either, but all supporter groups. The majority of the crowd at Docklands booed when the flares were ripped, yet a minority of the home support were also guilty of setting their own pyro off.
In this current period of controversy, lighting flares can only be perceived as attention-seeking bollocks. A minority has undermined the efforts of all ten active supporter groups who fought to overturn the FFA’s draconian banning measures.
At the moment, their silence is disappointing. Condemn the culprits and ensure they are ostracised from the game, otherwise any credibility once attained will evaporate.
It is not solely the FFA’s job to maintain harmony in Australian football, the governing body needs the assistance and cooperation of the supporters who claim to love the game.
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
I agree completely. Stop feeding ammo to the game's detractors. It's not a good look.
Jeff Williamson
Roar Pro
233 comments on this article. Amazing to see so many voicing thier opinion on this issue. Flares are for emergency use only. They have no place in a football stadium.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#FIUL Yep - did Lord of the Flies in Year 10 I think it was. Fireworks - I will suggest - is NOT a core element of most sporting events. At best - it's peripheral with no baring on the contest itself. For indoor sporting events - pre match and during intervals there may be some level of lighting involved in 'entertainment' (for those in their seats as distinct to those rushing to the loos and fighting the food queues). At any rate - you've pretty well illustrated that it's not the basis of rational thought driving the actions (flares) - but, rather a more primitive basic instinct/curiosity. I guess I'm glad to concede it's not the conclusion of a rational plan. Just people with limited impulse control. btw - on NYE I rationalize that it's a tremendous waste of public funds (public fireworks displays) - and in Australia in more rural settings it can't go off without the fireys in attendance in case of igniting a fire (seen that more than once). In suburbia - lock up your pets. But - yes - pretty lights - I grew up in the country where it was 15kms to the nearest (single) street light in the nearby village so I still have a fascination with city lights....well...the Skipping Girl sign at very least.
FIUL
Guest
"is the rational thinking about bringing an incendiary device into a sporting contest" Since man started walking upright, fire has instilled a mixture of fear & fascination. It's why the whole world gets mesmerised on NYE watching fireworks. Fireworks are a core attraction at every major sporting event. Heck the BBL & NRL are so enamoured by flares at football, they use machines to try to replicate the flares in the terraces at football. Even theatre shows & concerts regularly include lighting effects & smoke effects. For deeper philosophical analysis of the power of fire I suggest you read William Golding's classic novel "Lord of the Flies".
Perry Bridge
Guest
#FIUL So - tell me - what is the rational thinking about bringing an incendiary device into a sporting contest - and then igniting it in a crowded area. Because - I openly admit - I just don't 'get it'. I must attend sports for an entirely different reason.
FIUL
Guest
If you think flares are lit to interrupt boredom, then you further demonstrate your ignorance about football fan culture. I've NEVER - in 11 years watching Aleague - ever seen a Mexican Wave at Aleague. Why? Because football fans attend Aleague. The only time we see Mexican Waves at football matches is when non-football Aussies attend National Team matches. They don't understand the game so they don't know how to participate as a spectator, other than a Mexican Wave. I've never seen a Mexican Wave in EPL, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Ligue1, SerieA, Eredivisie, etc. etc. etc. Occasionally see it when Mexico is playing in a WC tournament.
Perry Bridge
Guest
and that Melbournians cringe and laugh at Bec Wilson, Alan Jones,..Buzz, Lawsy,....etc etc.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#FIUL and this is where your personal irrational ranting becomes somewhat amusing. The Mexican Wave is hardly 'bogan Australian' - especially given (whether it is deemed originally a US fan invention or not) it's popular name on the back of it's prevalence at the 1986 Mexico soccer world cup. And we know that generally it's done to relieve boredom. Which would make it so perfect as an alternative to flares.....oh, unless flares are designed to interrupt play and impact momentum?? (then just settle for pitch invasion - whether clad or not).
FIUL
Guest
@Perry Bridge How would you have a clue "what active Aleague fans think"? Of all the people in Australia, you are in the group that is the most ignorant about Aleague fan culture. So, please save your theories about fan culture for the Egg Ball fans. Your input on Aleague fan culture is ridiculous. PS: Just read this gem from Perry Bridge "And – what’s wrong with just starting a Mexican wave or something like that??" Thank heavens at Aleague we don't have, & never will have, bogan Australian attending.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#lester This is part of the point here - seemingly the 'active supporters' feel that there's something missing - so they provide it. At the BBL the 'house' provides these extra elements - the gas flames or pyrotechnics (and I attended a game where the sanctioned fireworks delayed the start by 10 minutes - onya guys!!). So - effectively, the A-League needs to borrow from the BBL and NBL books on non core peripheral entertainment options. Granted there's so little scoring that the challenge is when and how to incorporate some music and gas flame ejaculations. And - what's wrong with just starting a Mexican wave or something like that?? btw - as with other posters - (I am) astounded by your comments about 'anglo-Australia' in this context.
Perry Bridge
Guest
FIUL - but where do you stand on the topic of flares? Ironically - I've replied to Ian et al above - but apparently that reply is still awaiting moderation. Not sure why. Meanwhile such eminently helpful (yes, read with a tone of sarcasm for thine inner voice) posts as this are able to pollute the thread. Interesting. Presumptuous and interesting and head in the sand deflection.
BIMS
Guest
Unfortunately all these young supporters are these wanna be 'ard euro ultras. Its pathetic. Then when they get told, they get all bent out of shape, hissy fit and act like they are "better" supporters. Its been a problem at Glory for awhile now, a lot of dysfunction.
Kevin
Guest
Unfortunately the younger fans are wanna be 'ard euro ultras. It's pathetic and they get bent all out of shape when they get told and act like they are the better supporters. It's been happening at the Glory for awhile too.
Midfielder
Guest
Excellent sound bite from Simon Hill on this issue.... https://soundcloud.com/fiveaa/simon-hill-flares-used-again-at-the-a-league
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Its illegal according to the conditions on the ticket and the rules of the stadium, irrespective of the sport. The FFA or stadium management have every right to ban these fans from the game or the venue. Its a silly side issue, but its doing an enormous amount of damage. Instead of reporting a great game with a fantastic finish and goal from Santalab, the main news services are showing fans lighting flares, smoke covering the ground and once again, David Gallop having a go at his own fans and football clubs. More division, more tension and more fan boycotts to come.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Janek is right. If we want to get rid of flares at games, we've got to make a stand ourselves and let our fellow supporters know that it is not acceptable behaviour. While we scream and cheer every time a flare goes off, its never going to stop, is it?
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Taking off 2 points for every flare aint gonna work. How long before rival fans in Red and Black T-Shirts start setting off flares at Wanderers games just to see them lose points so they overtake them. Open to exploitation too easily.
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
Actually, it was Lester who raised that particular point with his "bubble" comment and Jack attacked it. I was just pointing out that most countries are really like that in one way or another. They're all disinterested in things they're not tribally engaged with on a local level, hence why 1.6 billion people loving a game like Cricket completely going over the heads of people who otherwise think of themselves as cosmopolitan.
c
Guest
who is Brian McNamara
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"Worldly" : experienced and sophisticated. Two words that don't quite spring to mind when describing an AFL fan ;). Anyway, You made the inane connection between ball sports and cultural sophistication in the first place.. And for the record I'd "take" neither the nfl fan nor the Saudi.,