Another week, another A-League controversy and another minority of fans crying wolf that the suits at Chifley Square are conspiring against their so-called ‘free speech’.
It would not surprise me if these were the very same minority of football fans, who for too long in this country have been tarred with the same brush, who then complain about the sport’s treatment in the media.
Instead of the rhetoric following last weekend’s Sydney Derby being about a stoic Western Sydney Wanderers side finally breaking their hoodoo against their ‘big brother’ across the city, social media is instead being dominated by the actions of a small group of supporters.
These supporters, with seemingly very little else to do with their lives, got together of an evening to construct a seven-foot representation of the male appendage and, well, you know the rest…
I will not for one moment sit here and pretend that I did not let out a childish snicker upon seeing the banner, nor do I believe that my fellow Sky Blue supporters in The Cove should avoid punishment for their actions. However, although pushing boundaries of social acceptability is a key theme of comedy, it has, in this instance, been pushed too far.
Funnier still is the response of certain individuals who have taken offence to the notion that people could quite possibly be offended by the work. After all, work that was displayed at an event supposedly suitable for young families and individuals of any orientation, an event which is then broadcast on television on a Saturday evening.
These individuals reflect a cruel, self-absorbed underbelly of football supporters that must be separated entirely from the common football fan.
Of course, the nature of the world we live in dictates that those who see nothing indecent about the display, or take umbrage to the club’s response to the matter, find themselves with the opportunity to comment with virtual anonymity.
To these individuals, those who vindicate their vile comments by claiming “it’s just free speech” or that “football is about banter”, it must be said that you are in the minority and there is good reason for that.
Credit where it’s due, they are right about one thing, football is for the people, so long as ‘the people’ does not represent a circle that spreads further than males between the ages of sixteen and forty. Your views are not universal.
It is insufficient to tell the Sydney FC coach in question, whose wife and daughters were in the crowd, to simply “harden up” and be done with it. It is short-sighted to tell people that if they were unnerved by the work not to return the following week, and, finally, it is unreasonable to blame the FFA for poor fan engagement when the events of Saturday night hinder the possibility of young parents with children again booking the derby as a family night out.
The active support groups of our league add a welcome, colourful dimension to the brand that is the A-League. There is no denying that their reputation for pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable – legal and social intricacies that can usually be laughed off and enjoyed at a football match – precedes them when it comes to some of the publicity that they garner.
However, it is up to them to tread the between the banter which adds so much to the spectacle of a football match, and actions that provide certain parties with ammunition to shoot down our beautiful game.
northerner
Guest
And that’s where we do indeed differ. The sign was homophobic, and I’m stunned that so many are trying to argue differently. It’s very much akin to all those AFL types who excused the booing of Adam Goodes by trying to argue it wasn’t because he was indigenous, just because of his playing style. Same deal in my mind, same blinkered vision, trying to excuse or justify the inexcusable. As for the AFL, I have been to a couple of games since I arrived in Oz, and watch it occasionally on TV. I feel about it pretty much the way I feel about cricket, football and basketball. Enjoyable to watch from time to time, but I am in no way a hard core fan. It’s amusing that you would make that assumption simply because I’m not an out and out football fan. The world is a lot bigger place, with a lot more sports in it, than you seem to realize.
Aethelbert
Guest
Unfortunately, everyone has already chosen sides on this, those that are on the wrong side (The "Get over it" Side) Will never be swayed, I don't know what to say about this that hasn't already been said, it's unacceptable, immature and has no place in the modern game, it wasn't even clever but the point is anyone who finds this funny or acceptable is on the wrong side of history. I look forward to the CEO of Sydney FC Tony Pignata giving to go ahead to the LGBT kit he has been planning, let's show them who the more mature fans are.
Hubris
Guest
Why is EAD an insult? Because eating D is perceived as an unpleasant act, and certainly not something that "real men" do. It is women's work, or something that lesser males (homosexuaIs) might do. And we know that women and lesser males are not as good as real men, and it is an insult for a real man to be likened to a woman or lesser male. Real men don't EAD.
northerner
Guest
And that's where we do indeed differ. The sign was homophobic, and I'm stunned that so many are trying to argue differently. It's very much akin to all those AFL types who excused the booing of Adam Goodes by trying to argue it wasn't racist, just a dislike of his playing style. Same deal in my mind, same blinkered vision, trying to excuse or justify the inexcusable. As for the AFL, I have been to a couple of games since I arrived in Oz, and watch it occasionally on TV. I feel about it pretty much the way I feel about cricket, football and basketball. Enjoyable to watch from time to time, but I am in no way a hard core fan. It's amusing that you would make that assumption simply because I'm not an out and out football fan. The world is a lot bigger place, with a lot more sports in it, than you seem to realize.
punter
Guest
You see Northerner here lies the difference. I too criticised the RBB's banner & those who were in the wrong be punished. I don't criticise those 'apologists' for it, because it's their opinion, my opinion was it was a picture of a lewd act that is not required at a football ground. If Graham Arnold, who was the victim here, has moved on, so can I. As for the damage to football, no I disagree, this is a small minority, who seek attention by the crudest methods, fine them, suspend them, don't give them the attention they seek. Most football fans are looking forward to this week's games, or were drawn to the attention of the ACL or even champions league games during the week. There are the odd fan or media football fans still going on, that is their right, my suggestion as per the super Coach, move on. You, however, well....enjoy your 5 months of no AFL.
Nemesis
Guest
@Pablo Your analogy with Down Syndrome is offensive and ridiculous. If the banner depicted Arnie like that it would be clearly making fun of a person with Down Syndrome. I've just read the banner was only exposed right at the end of the game when the RBB wanted to tell Graham Arnold: EAD. It was not homophobic and if it were displayed at the LBGT Mardi Gras the gay community will dance around it with delight. I've seen banners at Mardi Gras degrade & defame public figures with all sorts of sexual innuendo. No one cares about the impact such imagery has on the victims of when the LGBT community are the aggressors.
northerner
Guest
"If you had some balance in your comments you would be respected a bit more here." Let's face it, the only way you would ever regard my comments as "balanced" would be if they were totally 100% supportive of all things football on every occasion and under every circumstance, no matter what the issue or what the problem. In this particular case, I have criticized the RRB's banner, and I have criticized those who are apologists for it. I have pointed out the damage both are doing to football. And you somehow find that "unbalanced." Punter, if I were to do as you say, and simply fall in line with the group-think that infests this tab, I might get more respect around here (though I doubt it), but I'd lose all respect for myself. Thanks, but no thanks.
Slane
Guest
'As far as I can observe the gay community hasn’t said a word to suggest it was homophobic.' You've been arguing with multiple gay people on this site who are certainly suggesting the sign is homophobic. I can't tell if you are purposefully being intellectually dishonest or you are suffering from a massive bout of cognitive dissonance. The FFA and WSW certainly think the sign is homophobic. Don't tell me you disagree with the FFA?
punter
Guest
I have already stated my comments on it & I have said it's not acceptable. I would have had no issue whatever fine, suspension the club & the FFA bestowed on the culprits. Graham Arnold, who is the victim here, said it didn't affect him but affected his family, but he has moved on. One thing is for sure, you sure talk like Mister Football. A Canadian Mister Football. If you had some balance in your comments you would be respected a bit more here.
Woodo
Guest
'As far as I can observe the gay community hasn’t said a word to suggest it was homophobic.' Here's a good place to start http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/02/22/gay-football-club-calls-homophobic-league-fans-be-banned
Pablo
Guest
@Nemesis - lets stick with the handicapped hypothesis ... for 2 reasons. 1) its comparable to what happened and 2) its a lot harder to worm out of without looking like a right ---- ... so just bear with me. If the RBB raised a banner with Arnie depicted as a man with Downs Syndrome would that be insulting to people with that disability? Surely because the intent is to ridicule Arnie they are being ridiculded also? By your logic - Arnie hasn't got Down Syndrome (aka being gay in your post) so that's not a problem, and having Down Syndrome isn't an insult (aka performing the act in your post ) There would be an absolute storm if that happened, and rightly so. Carry on defending the banner if you wish but at least call a spade a spade. Personally, I don't care about the banner - I just would hate to see our standards lowered to the level of the lowest IQ in the group. And some of those boys in the RBB bring a whole new level of stupid to the table.
Chris
Guest
Just ignore him and he'll stop
Nemesis
Guest
You people have got homophobia on your brains. How about you give the gay community a bit of credit for not being so fragile they see homophobia with every controversy? When I saw the banner (first I didn't even recognise it as Graham Arnold, it looked like some nondescript male) the message I got was: Graham Arnold EAD. EAD is a colloquial phrase used by the younger generation (I'd never heard it until recently on social media) and it seems to be an abrasive retort when you have a win over a rival. So, when Berisha was given a RC against Brisbane, I read numerous Tweets calling for Victory fans to EAD. Same happend when Brandan was given a Red. When Fornaroli missed a penalty. When Carney equalised against Victory, Sydney FC fans on social media were quick to triumphantly tell Muscat: EAD. So EAD is not homophobic. It's a general message used by the modern generation the way others might say: put that in your pipe & smoke it. The banner was lewd and inappropriate. It was not homophobic. As far as I can observe the gay community hasn't said a word to suggest it was homophobic.
Chris
Guest
Yes but did you see the way the Uruguayans reacted when we booed their national anthem? Talk about hypocritical sooks. They need to harden up too yes Johnno?
Alessandro Vari
Roar Pro
Have to agree with Pablo here, just because certain things are done overseas does not mean they are something to be admired or copied.
Slane
Guest
Why did the RBB make the banner Nemesis? You think it might have been meant as an insult? They weren't trying to degrade Graham Arnold? How can you possibly hold such an intellectually bankrupt position?
Nemesis
Guest
@Pablo So, you're saying performing act depicted by the banner is an insult? Sorry, I don't accept that premise and I'd be surprised if any consenting adult - straight, or gay - considers that act to be insulting, or degrading, or demeaning.
Pablo
Guest
@Nemesis - "no heterosexual male would ridicule that act. It’s a revered act" ...... I think you might find that if you are doing what the banner was doing you ain't heterosexual. You're talking absolute rubbish. If I called you handicapped as an insult, I am also insulting handicapped people by the fact that I believe calling someone handicapped is an insult. And I thought you were smarter than that.
Pablo
Guest
Johnno - what's your point? Is it some tw@ts do tw@tish stuff in other countries so it should be okay here ? Have you finished high school yet?
northerner
Guest
No, not the end of story. It'll be the end of story when guys like Nemesis and Kaks and Johnno and you understand what the issue is. Until then, it's just going to keep happening.