The FFA has handed down its punishment to the Melbourne Victory after one of the club’s fans lit a flare during the side’s 4-1 derby loss against Melbourne City on Saturday night.
The organisation decided to issue the club with an official reprimand rather than a suspended points penalty, the likes of which was given to the Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Victory have accepted the decision without appeal.
The FFA took into account the behaviour of Victory fans who dobbed in the flare-lighter, saying the vigilance of fans played a role in the severity – or lack thereof – of the punishment
“In making the determination, FFA has placed considerable significance on the Melbourne Victory supporters who voiced their displeasure and then helped identify the perpetrator, who was removed from the stadium and will go through the FFA Banning Process. This behaviour is refreshing,” said the head of the A-League, Greg O’Rourke.
O’Rourke said there was a significant difference between the incident at the Melbourne derby and the Sydney derby, hence the difference in punishments.
“We look at all incidents on a case by case basis and take into consideration the totality of the situation and behaviours and we noted some clear distinctions from the incidents last week at the Sydney Derby.
“FFA recognises that the self-policing by the Melbourne Victory fans is yet another positive step and a strong public statement that fans, clubs and the wider football family were united in saying flares are not acceptable and show disloyalty to their club.
“In issuing the reprimand FFA is warning all clubs of the need to stay vigilant. The collective focus of FFA, clubs, players and true football fans is to work together to eliminate all forms of anti-social behaviour, including flares.”
While the Victory did not suffer the ignominy of having points deducted from their meagre early-season total – the Melbourne-based club have just the single point from their opening two A-League games so far this season – O’Rourke made sure to warn fans that lighting flares could cost their team points in the future.
“We need to be clear that a recurrence of the incident where flares are ignited in the Melbourne Victory fans area may leave FFA with no alternative other than to deduct points from the club.”
The incident was the second time in as many rounds where flares have caused controversy in the 2016-17 A-League season. Following the Round 1 Sydney derby, the Western Sydney Wanderers came under scrutiny after a number of flares were ignited in the active fans area during the game.
The FFA’s response was to extend the club’s suspended three-point deduction. The threat of the points deduction was already in place after around 20 flares were ignited during a Wanderers away game against Melbourne City in February of this year.
It was originally meant to expire in February, but will now run until the end of the season
pauly
Guest
His life has as much meaning as the International Rules series.
punter
Guest
I have no idea, it's only a sport!!!!
marron
Guest
Can actually still see it in anons post below. He added a touch of class of course.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
A lot of missing posts... What happen to them?
Steve
Guest
Fear of what?
Nemesis
Guest
Thank you Roar Moderators for deleting an extremely nasty post by Rick Disnick. He's a repeat offender with that sort of nastiness and I wonder how many chances he'll be given.
Post_hoc
Guest
Why do you even comment here? Is your life so meaningless that you need to comment on a sport you have no interest in watching or participating in. I think you need to get a better hobby
Post_hoc
Guest
You said similar things last week, you seem to be daring someone to report you for such comments. You on some sort of crussade? It's a pretty vile comment, I suggest you refrain, someone might take you up on your wish.
Fadida
Guest
You can't educate those who have been lobotomised
Franko
Guest
It's illegal for me to let off fireworks also. But in a controlled environment they are regularly let off at Big Bash Cricket. I agree it would be a floggish to have a marshall, but is it a small step to a middle ground.
punter
Guest
haha!!!!
marron
Guest
Exactly. Contrary to the narrative being smashed out by people who don't watch the league or the game, they aren't that common, they aren't restricted to this sport, they aren't restricted to 1 or 2 clubs, when they are used it is more common than not that the perpetrators are identified and removed and banned and charged, and then best results in curbing them have not come from increased use of force.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Nothing intimidates a crowd like mounted police. This is how I'd deal with them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qhUTF4hOp8 Should they not put all flares out with spit on their fingers, I'd follow up with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98MtWe2nCS4 In fairness, many of the RBB look like orcs.
marron
Guest
All that great work with multicultural rounds and programs and so forth is really bearing fruit isn't it.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Glad you liked it champ.
Carbuncle Junior and the Fussy Nemesisters
Guest
Geez that's an average comment. Ditto the responses.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I'm from Adelaide — colony based on free settlement, not convicts. Try again...
Nemesis
Guest
Too funny. People who, most likely, are only living in Australia because their ancestors broke the law in England and were expelled from that country are trying to lecture us about "obeying the law".
anon
Guest
"Well…I’ll say it again: they are illegal. Perhaps in the country where you or your parents originate — where stoning of woman to death is still practiced — lighting flares is legal. They aren’t here though and I’ll keep educating someone like you of this fact every day of the week." Yep, you have to abide by the laws of the country where you seek asylum.
Mark
Guest
You do make a good point that the majority of people who post comments promoting/defending the use of flares are people you never see post on any other article.