The Western Sydney Wanderers have been found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute by Football Federation Australia, copping a fine of $50,000 and given a suspended three competition point-deduction.
The fine and deduction come after Saturday night’s game between the Melbourne Victory and the Western Sydney Wanderers, where flared and detonators were ignited in the Wanderers’ away section at Etihad Stadium.
Football Federation CEO David Gallop made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, saying while he was disappointed with the way fans behaved at the game, he remained convinced that these people were trouble makers, not true football fans.
More football:
» Wanderers still top dogs, but mischief makers must pull their heads in
» FFA must dock the Wanderers competition points
» FFA talking tough could be rough for Wanderers
» Fan issues escalate: FFA charge Wanderers with bringing game into disrepute
» It’s time for A-League supporters to unite against flares
» A-League fans have shot themselves in the foot
“It saddens me the game and good football people have had their reputations damaged,” Gallop said.
“The actions on Saturday night were deplorable. There’s more than anecdotal evidence that families left before full time.
“Next week we will announce a national flare review.
“Those who lit the flares are not true football fans.
“These are very serious ramifications to the competition. Three points could make a huge difference in the race for the A-League championship.”
Gallop said that it would be “very sad indeed to see a club lose points because of the action of these people”, but that if another serious incident occurred in the fan section of the Wanderers, the FFA would sanction the club with a loss of three points.
At this stage, the Wanderers’ points on the A-League table remains the same.
“The misconduct was not only dangerous and threatening but the coordinated and calculated way the fans behaved was a serious blight on the reputation of football and everyone involved in our game including clubs, members, fans, players and officials,” Gallop said.
“The sanctions have been set taking into consideration the seriousness of the incidents but a clear commitment both publicly and through its submission that the Wanderers will take responsibility for implementing a clear strategy to identify and exclude these individuals.
“The Western Sydney Wanderers and the vast majority of Wanderers fans have expressed their disdain at the behaviour of the perpetrators on Saturday night and must now work together to rid their club of these troublemakers who threaten the huge support the club has brought to the competition. While the club has put a number of measures in place it goes without saying that more needs to be done.
“The timing of the incident was frustrating for everyone who has been working collectively on a new banning process to deal with the type of behaviour that was on show last Saturday night.”
Gallop said the setback would not affect the findings of the FFA’s review into the banning process. He also said they would announce more updates on flares next week.
Joe
Guest
the punishment passed from the FFA is the equivalent of having murder victims (families) punished for a murder's crimes. if people are acting against the rules set by the FFA then ban the people responsible. I dont follow aussie football as much as others, but i would assume that are security screening when entering A league games like everywhere else in the world as well as CCTV so trouble makes can be found and banned. all that has happens here is the FFA stole 50K from the WSW. Reminds me of how Australia ruined the NSL. First bad behaviour. which is normal. then when people behaved they banned people from chanting, then flags.
Neil
Guest
Same day as a so called Wanderers Fan let off flares 81 were evicted from Rugby 7's and 3 were removed from Pirtek, 90 removed from Big Bash Cricket, I think it is safer to go to football. Football supporters know we have to be purer than driven snow, more Saintly than Mother Theresa, this is the hostile market and anti football media environment we have to face to follow our sport. Unfair! Yes it is, but while we have 1 or 2 flare lighting idiots giving you types the ammunition, I suppose we will just have to suck it up. But to prove my point that football is safe I will buy you the tickets and escort you to the game myself to back up my post.
marcel
Guest
Dean.. You should track down the RBBs public response. It makes for very disappointing reading. I thought your comments about them being a ticking clock were just a little alarmist....turns out you were much closer to the truth than I imagined.
Dean
Guest
RBB and it's cheer squad clearly has one of the largest chips on their shoulders I've ever seen. Every time they're called into line, it's the media's fault, or it's not as bad as everyone makes out, or they'd pick on us for something else anyway, you're all being over-dramatic. Not once have I heard them announce anything remotely responsible. Which is why this can only end with them reforming or being dismantled by WSW management. A more responsible group will no doubt rise in its place. They've got one more chance.
AR
Guest
Agree. That statement read like: "Llook we can't encourage flares, so we don't. But...we're all for individual choice. And most of this is a media beat up - if there were no flares at last weekend's match, the media would have found something else about us to pick on." It's a very juvenile opinion dressed up as a serious 'statement'.
Punter
Guest
Trouble is, that's the major sporting trophy that would really be worth winning Rick. You know your football, , nothing Australia has ever won would even come close.
Punter
Guest
Spruce, read the headline, the authorities are taking care of it. But it does not deserve the media attention it is getting, now I'm unsure you can see this. If onfield attention gets the same attention I would not complain, but it doesn't, this off field attention gets far more attention then it deserves. I think the booing of a player for his beliefs is far worse & far more widespread.
marron
Roar Guru
No, you are not blaming the perpetrator. You are blaming the bystanders for not "cracking into" people. The perpetrator and the perpetrator alone is responsible for the flare. They should get what's coming. AND THEY DO MOST OF THE TIME. But no, better to use vigilantism because someone thinks security couldn't handle pat downs - even though they can and do and coupled with other measures, aided by all parties including the dreaded rbb, this appears to pretty much work.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Do you go around apologizing for every criminal act committed by someone that you don't share agendas with?
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Not on the football tab it doesn't
Big J
Guest
Mate they have been trying to kick out the bombers for years now.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"And why aren’t you cracking into those who light the flares?" Define explicitly what you mean by "cracking into".
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"Weird how someone like me is defending FFA here " Not weird at all. You'll defend whatever suits your agenda.
spruce moose
Guest
Maybe apologising would be a nice thing to do.
spruce moose
Guest
Free to air television?
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"So if/when they continue to light flares we/the media should just ignore it?" No. But doesn't mean you have to go on a crusade about it,, what punters saying is that it's a blip on the radar.. He's happy focusing on the actual football and allowing the natural course to take place.. ie.the authorities banning guilty parties.,You and the anti-football media on the other hand are revelling in this
spruce moose
Guest
And why aren't you cracking into those who light the flares? You're such a joke...always blaming anyone else but the perpetrator.
spruce moose
Guest
So if/when they continue to light flares we/the media should just ignore it? Interesting theory. Isn't going to happen.
AR
Guest
If the leaders/capos/whatever publicly and emphatically stated that flares weren't welcome anywhere near the RBB, they could enforce a rule that everyone would follow. I mean, they already enforce rules that everyone follows. If they truly wanted that known, they could do it. But flares have always been, mostly, a shoulder shrug.
AZ_RBB
Guest
So you're telling me not to worry about other clubs when you seem quite concerned about a club that isn't your own. *scratches head*