Muscat backs Wanderers on flares

The besieged Western Sydney Wanderers have found an ally in one of their biggest A-League rivals as they await a verdict on their away-day flare-up.

Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat says the top of the table Wanderers shouldn’t wear a penalty that affects their league position for the actions of supporters in the stands.

Western Sydney fans let off around 20 flares in their 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, causing the match to be stopped at one point due to smoke.

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Most worryingly, they also let off a handful of detonators, which explode with a noise akin to a bomb.

Muscat said Popovic’s side shouldn’t be docked points on account of “mindless people that come to football stadiums to cause this sort of havoc”.

“I do feel for Popa and the players, coming under that sort of scrutiny,” Muscat told Fox Sports News.

“They’ve worked so hard to get the points they’ve got. To be threatened with losing points, I feel sorry for them.”

In the most powerful statement by an A-League coach on the issue, Muscat said fans that took flares or detonators weren’t wanted

“It doesn’t add to the game. It’s not good for the spectacle. It’s actually frowned upon by everyone. The bottom line is, it’s a crime,” he said.

“There’s no need for it.

“There’s certainly no room for it in our club and there’s certainly no room for it in the competition as a whole.”

Regardless of his personal views, he said he trusted governing body Football Federation Australia to “gather the right information and make the decision that’s best for everybody”.