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LISTEN: A-League fans are sick and tired of being treated like criminals

Police monitor the crowd at an A-League Sydney derby. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
14th May, 2019
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A thoroughly entertaining weekend of A-League semi-finals was marred by an ugly incident which saw a fan and his children evicted from Sydney FC’s match against Melbourne Victory.

Roar football Expert Mike Tuckerman, who wrote a column on Monday condemning the standard of policing at A-League matches, joined us on the Game of Codes podcast to discuss how it compares to his experience as a patron at other sporting events.

Listen to the debate:

Footage from Sunday’s A-League semi-final shows a group of police officers and security guards arguing with Sydney FC supporter Rory Carroll before asking him to leave. Carroll alleges he attempted to check the nearest toilet to see if it was suitable for his disabled daughter but was denied entry by security before being confronted by police after returning to his seat.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton challenged Carroll’s version of events, claiming he was without his daughter when he attempted to access a restricted area of the stadium with “a greater variety of beer”. When asked if he was suggesting that was the reason Carroll attempted to enter the area, Walton said, “that’s something for [Carroll] to determine”. Carroll has denied this version of events, claiming he was not drinking alcohol at the match.

Football Federation Australia is investigating the incident and is speaking to the parties involved, while board member Remo Nogarotto took to Twitter after seeing footage of the incident circulate online.

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“My position on the deliberate profiling of football fans is on the public record but this goes well beyond the pale,” Nogarotto wrote.

“Our game needs to escalate this politically and demand policing in line with other sports.”

2GB is reporting Carroll had previously served a 12-month ban from ANZ Stadium after being ejected in 2017.

Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.

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