Western Sydney’s supporters group Red and Black Bloc has slammed Football Federation Australia as being “dictatorial” for condemning a crude banner unfurled during Saturday’s A-League derby.
RBB is standing by the banner which depicts a blue-faced man – resembling Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold – having oral sex, before a crowd of nearly 45,000 at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
Wanderers, who have already been in strife over fan behaviour, are sweating on a suspended points deduction over flare-lighting and other anti-social activities by their misbehaving fans.
The FFA issued a show-cause notice on Monday to the Wanderers, labelling the banner “offensive to any reasonable member of the public.”
In response, RBB attacked the governing body.
“We find it ironic that it takes the FFA barely 24 hours to respond to a banner deemed ‘offensive’, but take over 12 months to even commence an appeals process agreed upon in December 2015,” the group said in a Facebook statement.
“Clearly football in this country is in the wrong hands.
“Football belongs to the people, not a dictatorial body or the likes of so called expert commentators.
“The sport doesn’t belong to the FFA, nor does it belong to the likes of Robbie Slater (television commentator).
“F**k off with your pandering to mainstream media.”
It is understood the Sky Blues have told FFA they want the Wanderers to apologise to their coach and his family for the banner.
Misbehaving fans also drew criticism from Wanderers striker Brendon Santalab, who scored the winner in the 1-0 result on Saturday.
The incident overshadowed Western Sydney’s first derby win in more than three years, which was also marred by crowd violence and misbehaviour leading to 15 arrests, both inside and outside the stadium.
The Wanderers have until midday on Thursday to respond to the notice.
Josh
Guest
Several insults about the Wanderers. He is not innocent.
Justy
Guest
As a sports enthusiast I cant understand why supporters just can't go along and cheer for their team. I am disappointed like everyone else when my team loses but I don't take it out on stadium chairs or the guy next to me. The flag in question may be funny to some but is completely inappropriate for a public venue. The fact they smuggled it in indicates they knew it was inappropriate and were obviously hoping it would cause a scene. These groups forget about the families who come to games who have to witness this and the violent brawls perpetrated by idiots who I would not call fans of the game at all.
punter
Guest
You are confusing football to A-League. The A-League is not the best competition in the world for football, so most of those playing football prefer their O/S teams. Football as the sport has a far greater following then A-League.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I agree soccer is the highest sport for participation at a social level - just doesn't seem to translate to viewer numbers when it comes to the pros. Maybe people don't like watching what they already play?
Nemesis
Guest
The Sport is already No.1 in Australia by a long long way. The ALeague competition represents less than 0.1% of the people who play Football in Australia.
HiHo
Guest
And there's no point arguing with Nemesis. It just brings you down to his level of stupidity. But he does do a good job in keeping new fans away, so he's not all bad.
HiHo
Guest
Here, my friends, is why Soccer will never be Number 1 in Australia. Keep up the good work nemesis.
Catnap
Guest
Rbb is a cancer on the game!!!
DH
Guest
It's a shame because a lot of NT fans were genuine fans of the game, as are a lot of RBB supporters, I'm sure. It's a shame that a vocal minority ruin something like that, but once the minority are removed, I'm sure the same spirit will emerge amongst the remaining fans as it has done with MV.
Freddie
Guest
It's Football Federation Australia, and if you think racism & homophobia are only endemic in "soccer" then let me introduce you to AFL, the undisputed world champions in both categories.
punter
Guest
As mentioned I don't condone this action nor do i defend it, nor did I condone the booing of a native Australian, I made a point, & move on. I did not feel the need to repeat myself over & over. No idea of sexist remarks you talking about. I have stayed up late to cheer the Matildas for their World cup or Olympic campaigns, i watch the W-League grand final. So not sure what you are talking about.
sen
Guest
It's always good to annoy the authority-bowing sheeple. This country has WAY TOO MANY of them. Good banner.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Indeed, Glen. Whether the people who compiled the banner feel disdain towards people of differing sexuality is moot; they knew what reaction would follow and sought it out with vigour. These individuals desired to sew disaccord and discomfort, to intentionally harm the game, simply to satisfy their desire for improved social status within a small cliche who has summarily rewarded such behaviour.
Glen
Guest
Agree - your comment is very sensible. But it is also just some common sense that those whon put this together don't seem to have. Whether it is homophobic or not I don't really care. I don't want to have to explain an image of a man (or anyone for that matter) with a penis in his mouth to my 4 and 7 year old girls. Although people like Nemesis would rather people like us stay home so that 20 or so macho mates can have the stadium to themselves.
Chris
Guest
Nemesis no point arguing with Northerner. Always with the last word, always negative, always on this football tab.
Chris
Guest
haha!
Chris
Guest
Fair point Birdman but if its not this it would be something else that MSM would dwell on. As long as its negative its all good.
Chris
Guest
Wow talk about a picture painting a 1000 words!
northerner
Guest
Nemesis hardly ever discusses football either, or haven't you noticed? And I don't put the game down. Never have. Sorry I'm repeating myself. I think it's important. You don't think so. You didn't think the kind of sexist remarks made a few weeks ago were important either. What is important, exactly?
punter
Guest
I don't accept the behaviour, this was done against my coach, a family man. Not something I condone. But I don't need to post the same thing 5-10 times saying the same old boring thing. You say you are not MF or AR, but you write very similar to them, very boring in your putting the game down all the time, so have full understanding why people think this way about you. You hardly ever discuss football.