Western Sydney face the prospect of starting next A-League season in arrears if a Football Federation Australia investigation triggers their suspended points deduction.
Adding salt to their wounds after losing Sunday’s A-League grand final 3-1 to Adelaide United, FFA chief executive David Gallop confirmed on Monday that the governing body would investigate the lighting of two flares during the match.
One device was let off in the Wanderers’ active supporter bays at Adelaide Oval just before kick-off, and another late in the match.
“It’s certainly something we need to look at because we’ve said very clearly over the last few months that flares are not on,” Gallop said in Canberra on Monday.
“It is something in the wash-up today and over the next few days we do need to have a look at.”
Adelaide United supporter group Red Army are also alleged to have lit flares on their walk to the stadium.
Fervent Wanderers fan group Red and Black Bloc were chided and coaxed into better behaviour after their club was handed a suspended three-point penalty and $50,000 fine after FFA found Western Sydney guilty of bringing the game into disrepute in February.
The punishment came after a small group of away fans ignited about 20 flares, as well as crowd-frightening detonators, during a match against Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium.
A week later, Victory were given the same punishment after poor behaviour at the Melbourne derby, when two flares were ripped, missiles were thrown onto the pitch and a TV news crew outside AAMI Park was allegedly assaulted.
At the time, FFA said similar incidents would trigger the suspended sanction and see a points deduction.
A decision by head office is not expected imminently.
“The behaviour of the overwhelming majority of fans was exceptionally good. The fans were passionate, spirited and vocal, but showed respect for each other at all times,” an FFA spokesperson said on Monday.
“A number of flares were ignited before and during the match, involving supporters of both competing clubs, and some seats were damaged in the venue.
“FFA will conduct a review of the event and will consider full reports.”
The Wanderers returned to Sydney today and will cooperate fully with the FFA investigation.
A loss of points would be a painful blow to Western Sydney, still coming to grips with losing the grand final three times in four years.
“We said a long time ago that we don’t like that in our game and we want it stamped out,” Wanderers striker Brendon Santalab said.
“It’s unfortunate it happened, it’s out of our players’ control and the club’s control.
“It’s again a minority and we hope that stops.”
marcel
Guest
So Waz.. When a law is passed....you get to break it a couple of times before the authorities act on it....Is that what you are trying to say.....I admire your dedication to the Roar....but this ™half pregnant™ argument that you are pushing is just a bit embarrassing.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Exactly josh. As we know FFA only care when flares are on camera...(marronism).. One solution used around the world for many types of antisocial crowd behavior is to force the club to play to an empty stadium. Would obviously be suicide doing this. Can you imagine what kind of destruction this would do to the game here...(and not in a Ned zelic sense) So they've resorted to this points deduction thing... which conveniently just so happens to align with their "capping/neutering of the league" - the old leveling of the playing field.. Of course thats their solution. All ties in quite well. I've said this before, if a (insert club) fan robs the tuck shop at (insert stadium) should the club be docked points? Lol
Josh
Guest
I don't think some of you get it, you will never stop this - taking points away will only slow it down.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Incorrect we will be there to support the players - it is what us majority care about - who have nothing to do with this issue. The fan boycotts were different as the boycotts were justified, in my opinion, to strengthen the league and provide fans with some sort of power. Receiving a point deduction after being warned a repeat offence will cause us to lose points will not keep us away from the game, it will only anger us against those who continue to cause an issue.
vin
Guest
FFA are too afraid to deduct points from the wanderers, too afraid the fans might protest and not come to the games.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Such a pity. The main threads discussing football are dominated by AFL fans making up stories to mask their insecurities. What a waste.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
True waz, regardless of what was discussed here., (of course we're gonna discuss the potential loss of 3 points here) the overall sentiment and commentary in the media washup everywhere else wasn't about the flares at all.
Punter
Guest
'Dominated by flare talk' only by some, as your best mate says above ' not really a hanging offence'.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
AR Kinda like how the words essendon/AFL will always be synonymous with drugs. Such a pity. (That ones for you fadida.. Even threw in a code war for ya ?)
Waz
Guest
AR, at least we can discuss flares on one thread now - the backdrop to this has to be 5,000 Wanderers supporters, 45,000 Adelaide supporters, 2 flares, 4 arrests, 30 seats accidentally damaged. That's pretty good behaviour and better than many sports or concert events where 50,000 people attend. That's the real discussion. The flares are only a topic of discussion because the FFA overreacted to the Wanderers fans the last time around.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I think that's a good decision, afterall, two flares is hardly a hanging offence.
AR
Guest
It's quite a statement from the Wanderers' active fans in particular. I think they've been ludicrously indulged by the FFA - given chances, warnings, sit down meetings, and eventually penalties...but clearly there are still *some* fans who feel it's their right to rip flares and cause damage at stadiums when they attend an event. Such a pity. The main thread discussing Sunday's game was dominated by flare talk and misbehaviour. What a waste.
Waz
Guest
Yup, and I'm in, but my reply to cam went to moderation. Can't use the word "I'd!ot" apparently ...
Waz
Guest
Cam, ahh the regurgitated comments tact, I'll bite; only an idiot will question last weeks ignition of a flare by a Roar fan: - do you remember what the FFA did to Wanderers the first time a flare went off? Nothing right. - do you remember what they did on the tenth occasion? No, me neither. - do you remember what they did when Wanderers fans set off 20 flares plus railway detonators during a match? That's right, they took action. - Roar fans have been involved in one reported incident of flares inside a ground over the last five years, let's be generous to our southern cousins who are so sensitive on this topic and lets say it's ten times that over the last five years ... it's still way under one seasons average flare ripping for Wanderers - so does this deserve the same punishment? An idiot would say "yes", common sense would say no. Roar have recieved their standard correspondence from the FFA on this matter, just like Wanderers and victory did a few years back, and if it continues I'm sure they'll end up in the same place but the FFA took over a year and numerous occurrences before they sanctioned Wanderers. Roar will not only expect the same process is followed with them but will demand the same same process is followed, anything else will be unfair - Wanderers didn't get points sanctioned immediately nor should roar.
Fadida
Guest
I predict 100 clicks. 80 percent from Horto, Fuss and various incarnations of Hot Pants and High Kicks.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Just minutes ago, FoxSports have reported it would appear Wanderers set to be given benefit of doubt by FFA over flare incidents. Good decision in my opinion. Hopefully this is the case and we can move on. Though might not be able to as some fans will query the FFA's action regarding the ignition of flares at the Wanderers v Roar match. http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/aleague-grand-final-western-sydney-set-to-be-given-benefit-of-doubt-by-ffa-over-flare-incidents/news-story/e351f42b7f09e68e1f6722cc12ee474e