Brett Hull once said, “The fans are the most important part of the game. Without them, there is no game.”
Over the past season, the issue of flares has tainted the A-League, leading to a divide between fans and officials.
The A-League cannot afford this type of rift, and must work with these fans in order to achieve a peaceful outcome, and to preserve football in Australia.
The incidence of flares has been a recent issue for the A-League, but it is not the flares themselves, but the handling of the issue, which needs to be addressed.
More football:
» The A-League is at a crossroads
» Some won’t like it, but FFA ban procedure looks fair
» Flares are not a football problem, they’re a police problem
The FFA has been harsh with fans who let off flares, claiming they are a negative influence on the game, and has promised to expel them.
This was clearly demonstrated by the banning of 198 people from A-League matches, with spectators’ further irked when their names were leaked to the media.
FFA chief executive David Gallop’s response was harsh and hard-hitting. However, it was not the right line for the FFA to take if it wants to succeed.
Its handling of the incidents have generalised entire fan-bases of certain clubs, and the hardline approach has created a barrier between fans and officials.
While the FFA has introduced measures for a supporter’s right to appeal at games, the precedence has now been set in terms of how the A-League is perceived by the media and the casual football fan.
By doing this, and openly admonishing the ‘ultra’ supporters, as well as grouping them with the normal fan, the FFA is simply adding fuel to the already burning fire of anger and frustration residing within the supporters across various clubs.
A-League clubs have a vast array of supporters, with families a main marketing point. A majority of supporters are well-behaved, passionate and in love with the game of football. Generalising all these supporters with those who light flares and start fights will only push them to act out, seen throughout the crowd walk-outs from Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United.
These incidents are sparked from fans feeling repressed, and their voices not being heard. It gives them a forum to have their opinions voiced.
Another key issue has been the media. The leaking the 198 fans’ names by Rebecca Wilson not only affected the A-League, but the personal lives of said fans, with some even losing their jobs due to this breach of privacy.
Tom Elliott’s more recent controversial article, again generalising the fans, advocated changes to the role of goalkeeper, abolishing the “silly offside rule” and expanding goals. This was met with overpowering criticism from supporters, angered at his overstated generalisations and accusations of supporters’ “stupidity”.
Alan Jones went even further when he linked A-League violence towards the terrorist attacks in Paris.
A-League games have been painted as a dangerous place to be, similar to walking down a dark alley at midnight with your small children in a dodgy suburb.
While some, such as Waleed Ali, say they feel safe at games, and barely noticed the flares as it was such a small portion of the crowd, it has done little to quell the image painted by the media.
The FFA needs to step in, and to support these fans, rather than punishing them. Casual viewers are beginning to see A-League matches as gang war zones, which is simply not the case.
If the FFA does not showcase its product as brilliant and enjoyable, then the picture of danger and despair will continue to creep into the average Australian’s perception.
The A-League’s fans and supporters are the lifeblood of the game. They add an unheard of spectacle in Australia, with an amazing culture and atmospheric vibe. Their chants, songs and passion are a sight to see, and with the correct marketing the casual viewer will be more inclined to experience football live.
For this to occur, the FFA needs to work alongside the fans to rid the game of the small population who cause disturbances through flares and fights, rather than generalising all fans into one category.
This has already been vaguely seen through a tweet in which they criticised Channel Ten for their “inaccuracy” in “misrepresent[ing] the majority of fans”. More of this needs to be seen from the FFA.
Follow Dylan on Twitter @dylcarmody77
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
I would go as far to say the average person should a lot more worried about running into that bellend after he's had a few than a few pimply Fred Perry wearing wannabes. No offence to to Fred Perry either great label i just don't wear mine at the football more of a Lyle and Scott man personally.
paulie bro
Guest
Funny that a guy who broke a team-mate's jaw after a pre-season camp leading to his sacking from arguably the worst AFL team ever should dare to criticise other people's behaviour.
Qantas & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Agree Melbourneterrace.
Qantas & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Kevin Bartlett, now there's a funny looking old bald man... (good pick up)
Perry Bridge
Guest
OMG Punter. I'm desperately hopeful this comment was made in jest. The punch to the head comment is completely out of step with the community concern over one punch/coward punch attacks that have killed and maimed all too many. re words - this IS a multi sport opinion site. Get used to it.
BigAl
Guest
That's even funnier than I was trying to be - KB's response wasn't too bad either...
Dean
Guest
Won't matter when WSW win and have their points deducted for crowd behaviour. Most in the RBB wouldn't see that as a big issue, going by their previous behaviour at away matches.
josh
Guest
Really Anon you wouldn't feel safe ? I have stood next to that guy in the first pic with the sunnies for about 2 years now and have never once felt unsafe. His name is Harry btw, he would often bring his young daughter into the RBB. Talk about a beat up over nothing.
Blueblood
Guest
I have no idea what this article is trying to say. It's written fairly well, but seems illogical. How is the FFA attacking supporters etc? The only "body" attacking football is the predictably anti A League media. The only "people" the FFA seems to be attacking is the clubs themselves. Points deductions against the CLUBS for the stupid actions of a few INDIVIDUAL morons is ludicrous. Whatever happened to individual responsibility? My only criticism of the FFA is the lack of flexible thinking. They could hunt down the flare lighting morons easily if they really wanted to. How about a "Dob in a dickhead" line or something like that. They'd soon find these clowns, ban them for life and problem solved. Can you imagine Carlton being deducted points in the AFL because as a Carlton supporter I threw a beer can at an umpire? No way. The AFL would hunt me down and get rid of me from games. Look at the Adam Goodes thing last year. Was Collingwood punished for what that foolish girl said? Of course not. The girl was found and counselled. After firstly being hung out to dry by the media. The AFL took ownership, rather than attacking Collingwood. The FFA needs to stop being so defensive and pursue individuals rather than duck shoving the resolution of the idiot problem on to the clubs with fines, threats and points deductions.
Punter
Guest
Words are far more hurtful then a couple of flares or punch to the head.
Punter
Guest
When BigAl is on the football tab we know we can smell the fear of these AFL fans.
anon
Guest
You DON'T WANT these gang members banned from A-league games for the violence and mayhem they have caused, yet anyone who dares criticises soccer on this site (for legitimate reasons) you want their comments REMOVED.
Bob
Guest
This is like one of my posts that gets stuck in moderation for an unearthly amount of time and then appears all too late -- this should have been published months ago with the fan boycotts. Mods, get a grip this entire article is 4 months late!!
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
I agree the FFA have improved greatly in defending the game and the overwhelming majority who behave. Whether it's Wilson, a dodgy hooligan feature by channel 10 or a tweet from that Campbell Brown fool(or Brown dogg as he refers to himself ) they've got on the front foot instead of staying silent as was the case in the past.
Onside
Guest
There are a few criticisms in the posts, but even though Dylan is listed as a PRO, readers should keep in mind he is only 18. I have a teenage grandson who has just turned 18, and has just got his driving licence. I look forward to reading an article by Dylan about football, rather than views on a hot potato subject that has been around for a while, is well ventilated, and has nothing to do with the actual game of football. It takes time.
Waz
Guest
It's time for the fans to stand up for the game, not the FFA. The recent events have been fans letting the game down.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Sydney Derby sold out for the millionth consecutive time with almost zero promotion and amidst a mountain of negative press. Original Rivalry should be close to a sell out as well.
BIMS
Guest
Too many try hard ultras and have watched green st too many times
MJB
Guest
So... these people causing trouble in the stadiums are bad, but somehow not as bad as the FFA for daring to take a stand against them? You left out the part where you remind everyone that it's really about ethics in games journalism.
Woodo
Guest
"why are football fans so concerned about what some journalists think/write about the game" I would suggest that the overly excessive scrutiny that football supporters are subjected to by various media outlets tends to make them more sensitive to what is written and said about the game. That's common sense surely?