“What idiots, there goes three points.” So said a punter at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, as the familiar glow of orange emerged from the packed Red and Black Bloc.
Those of a Sky Blue and neutral persuasion shook their heads at the sheer stupidity of it all.
I mean, who rips a flare when your own club has a suspended three competition point deduction hanging over its head?
Not long after, it was 2-0 to Sydney FC. By full time, it was 4-0, with the Wanderers three flares to nil up on the night.
It should have been a foregone conclusion that Western Sydney would be deducted three points and that a genuine step towards stamping these idiots out of our game would be taken.
Not so.
Football Federation Australia has tonight determined to extend the suspended points deduction to the end of the season. It was in place until February 2017.
But those flares on Saturday night, they were in October. October 2016.
Yet again, the FFA has missed an opportunity to show it is serious about rubbing out anti-social behaviour at the football.
Don’t mistake this as a cheap shot at the governing body. I’ve known A-League chief Greg O’Rourke for a long time – he is as passionate about the game and its health as anyone. That’s why he is where he is.
But we can’t go on like this.
Yes, it is a minority. Yes, it’s not just Wanderers fans.
But the minority is part of a collective, housed among the most passionate supporters of their clubs.
When some so-called ‘fans’ (I refuse to believe they actually care about the club or the game) are posing for selfies in their jerseys with their faces covered, in front of a cloud of smoke and a bright orange glow, something has to be done about it.
What’s the point of having a suspended points deduction if it’s not going to be activated for the very same behaviour that caused it to be handed down in the first place?
These so-called ‘fans’ are taking the FFA for a ride. How far can they push their luck? (Click to Tweet)
Each flare ripped at the football is one flare too many, but the longer the FFA stands idly by with their hands in their pockets, the more these so-called ‘fans’ are going to push the envelope.
“Take our points off us, I dare you,” these idiots seem to be saying.
It’s like the kid at school who continually plays up, but never gets taken out of class.
The FFA is playing the role of schoolteacher, unable to control class, to perfection.
Maurine
Guest
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clipper
Guest
Just one mention about the bike lanes keeps him going for hours!
Seb
Guest
Fox Sports? Would that be the multimillion dollar broadcaster who failed to get the EPL rights this year? 2020: Fox Sports --> Fox Arm Wrestling and other insignificant sports...
Post_hoc
Guest
And you are pointless
Sam
Guest
Deny deny deny.......the defence of the indefensible. The FFA is, at best, in denial of their leadership.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Well then, that doesnt mean its about the flares, does it? A flare is a flare no matter where it is, or at what sport.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Articulate and to the point, great post Waz!
Steppinrazor
Guest
How can anyone trust you matt, you havent passed any of the purity test required to be an approved football contributor on the roar. You dont even have any obscure football iconography as an avatar. Unnacceptable
Davico
Roar Pro
Is there a history of this happening at league games is there? I had not heard anything about a flare going off at the NRL GF and that includes from people who went out to it.
Kaks
Roar Guru
It happened in the NRL grand final, and yet no one spoke about it.
Matt Connellan
Expert
I understand it, I'm not satisfied with FFA's response.
Post hoc
Guest
LOL
Davico
Roar Pro
Nobody would be talking about it if it did not happen!
matth
Guest
Actually, given Hadley's target audience you probably can ring Hadley about the scourge of jaywalking.
Post hoc
Guest
What gives Ray Hadlee a right to say anything on this game? Was he there? Did he watch the game? Why does a Rugby league commentator have a need to comment on a Football game? Did he comment on The Mariners game? Will he comment on next weeks game? Probably not, but because the game outstripped any H/A rugby league match ever, he needs to defend his pay master. if you don't think that is the case then you are seriously deluded. I saw a number of people crossing the road against the red light, can I now ring Ray Hadley every time I see that occurring and demand to know why the NSW Government is preventing this outrageous breaking of the law occurring. I demand a police officer on every street to enforce this, or do you think they might have something better to do?
Paul
Guest
Your last point is very alarming actually.
Paul
Guest
I don't think you can infere from the text that waz is saying flares are or aren't dangerous? What intrigues me is why did the police do nothing about it?
Mark
Guest
"People who light flares at an A-League match know they risk a possible jail time, plus a fine (from the FFA and the courts), plus a lifetime ban from attending any football in Australia, plus all the stigma and restrictions that follow a criminal conviction, including: loss of employment, restrictions on future employment and restrictions on travel for the rest of your life." If you believe this, it is you that is delusional. These people, especially if they are under 18, will know that there is practically zero chance of receiving any conviction or fine and the worst case scenario if they are caught will be a banning order. When our legal system enables under 18s to commit genuinely serious offences of violence and theft and be let off without any recorded conviction, they won't be scared of getting a conviction for lighting a flare at a football match. These people currently think if they can light a flare, the people around them will protect them and if they don't get caught they're a hero. With the threat of a three point deduction, people will be less inclined to protect the perpetrators and certainly won't consider them heroes.
Davico
Roar Pro
"As an example, on the Roar pregame march down Caxton Street, 1500 fans maybe, and a flare was ripped in the middle of the crowd. The women, children and adult male supporters didn’t panic and stampede, they carried happily on; my 13 year old kid by my side didn’t panic and kept on marching; bystanders started taking photos and videos not fleeing in panic; the C9 news crew filming the march made nothing of the incident instead providing only a positive news report the next day; the 6 Police Officers escorting the march down Caxton Street (3 of whom were no more than 3 meters from the flare when it was ripped) had no interest what so ever in it and jovially wished us well at the end; no search n rescue helicopters hovered overhead looking for the mysterious vestle in distress on dry land; no one was inconvenienced and the sky did not fall in on Suncorp stadium. " So in the above your not trying to make out that flares are not dangerous? Give me a break pal
Mark
Guest
I completely agree as well. The FFA should have the courage to carry out the punishment it has prescribed. By not doing so, how could they possibly punish Victory if their fans carry on at the upcoming derby? It would be a clear case of giving WSW preferential treatment.