Football Australia has imposed several sanctions on Melbourne Victory after the crowd violence in the A-League derby, while saying their investigations were “ongoing”.
“As the regulator of the A-Leagues, Football Australia considers these sanctions are necessary to give immediate confidence to the fans and participants in this interim period,” FA said in a statement on Friday.
The statement said the sanctions imposed were effective immediately and through until January 15.
The FA stressed no determination regarding the final sanctions upon Melbourne Victory FC as part of the Show Cause process have been made as yet.
“This is due to the fact that Football Australia is still receiving related information that must be considered from Victoria Police, stadium operations, and security providers,” the FA said.
The sanctions were split into home-and-away matches for Victory.
For home games:
– No tickets are sold in respect to home matches;
– Only valid club members can attend home matches;
– Refund any tickets that are not valid club members; where any ticket operator charges related to the refunds are borne by Melbourne Victory FC;
– Home and away active bays will be closed and therefore are to be cordoned off and tarps must be applied to at least the first four (4) rows of seating behind the goal line at each end of the venue;
– An agreed number of supporter marshalls are positioned in the venue;
– Supporters of Melbourne Victory FC must not be found to have engaged in any behaviour in breach of the Code of Conduct while attending the relevant match.
For away games involving Victory in Victoria:
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 17: Fans storm the pitch in protest during the round eight A-League Men’s match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park, on December 17, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
– Only valid Members of the Home Team, and Supporters of the Home Team who were in receipt of a ticket when ticket sales ceased at 11:00am AEDT on Friday, 23 December will be permitted to enter the Venue;
– The away active bays to be closed and the APL to ensure away active bays are cordoned off and tarps are applied to section/s of the Venue allocated to “Away Active Supporters”;
– Agreed number of supporter marshalls are positioned in the Venue;
– The Home Team will be allowed to issue up 1000 complimentary tickets to a list of individuals pre-approved by Football Australia;
– APL to work with the Home Team to refund any tickets that are not valid Members of the Home Team, where any ticket operator charges related to the refunds are borne by Melbourne Victory FC;
Other Melbourne Victory FC Away Matches during the period before the show cause is determined:
– The away active bays to be closed and the APL to ensure away active bays are cordoned off and tarps are applied to section/s of the Venue allocated to “Away Active Supporters”;
– Only Members and Supporters of the Home Team will be permitted to enter the Venue;
– Melbourne Victory FC must use best endeavours to discourage the attendance of all supporters of the club, including messaging that the venue will be restricted to supporters of the home team only;
– APL to work with the home team to refund any tickets which are associated with a Victorian postcode or to any person that they reasonably believe is a supporter of Melbourne Victory FC, where any ticket operator charges related to the refunds are borne by Melbourne Victory FC;
– An agreed number of supporter marshalls are positioned in the Venue.
“The implementation and practical enforcement of these sanctions will be the responsibility of the APL, relevant A-League clubs, and venue operators. Where compliance is found not to have occurred, further sanctions will be imposed by Football Australia.”
“Whilst we continue our very thorough investigation following the inexcusable scenes witnessed at the Melbourne Derby, Football Australia has issued Melbourne Victory with a series of strong sanctions which will need to be implemented to enable their participation in both the A-League Men’s and A-League Women’s competitions until a final show cause determination is made,” explained Football Australia CEO James Johnson.
“These sanctions come into immediate effect starting with Melbourne Victory’s A-League Men’s match on Boxing Day away to Western United, and follow the sanctions issued against individuals earlier this week as part of a package of sanctions in response to the incidents witnessed at the Melbourne Derby last weekend. These measures are an essential step for Football Australia, as it considers further sporting and financial sanctions that may apply to Melbourne Victory in the show cause determination process.
“Football Australia does not wish to penalise football fans during this time; however, our priority is to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone within the venue on match days and that any unacceptable behaviour by spectators are not repeated at any football match or event ever again. We believe these measures will achieve this.
“Football Australia would like to acknowledge the cooperation of the APL and Melbourne Victory over the past week, and we are sure this will continue during our ongoing investigation, with a determination on the show cause sanctions to be made in due course,” Johnson concluded.
As part of the investigation, Football Australia continue to work with Victoria Police and stadium operations to identify those who broke the spectator code of conduct during the Melbourne Derby on last Saturday.
Football Australia is also reviewing the conduct of some Melbourne City supporters at the Melbourne Derby. In the meantime, for Melbourne City FC home matches, Football Australia has also directed the APL to cordon off the home and away active bays until otherwise advised.
Victoria Police announced on Friday that 29 people have so far been arrested in total as part of Operation Astute. Police have now identified 36 people in total from the incident and are continuing to make enquiries.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The bloke on ultras tifo was going on about how the majority of the RBB were sheep and the hools were running it. His words not mine, the majority of the RBB are not involved, by the same token they seem to not have an issue with it all and seem to be cheerleading it as well. They would also be grateful for the donations.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
There is a video that shows more precisely how Tom Glover throws the 2 flairs off the pitch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk6Q3OmQtyw
Josh
Guest
I find it hilarious as a member of the RBB how i've apparently been involved in all these activities. I'd prefer people stop making up stories to suit their anti Western Sydney narrative, because let's face it, if the team didn't exist people would still find a way to have a go at us.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
There have been over the years countless attacks by MV and RBB on travelling supporters. It seems to be the same individuals involved every time as well. Its off the field so there is no hiding behind it being the A-league clubs responsibility. The police are the ones responsible for the whole mess, that they have only taken action when it was done on field against players which is a joke. The billion dollar question is why did Melbourne police move the world to protect a horda supporter and place trumped up kidnapping charges on Heart supporters. I was also there when the police came to help out when they lost the fights after starting them one on one.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Will these sanctions be effective? No! According to the UK 's news paper, some invaders to the pitch had been banned already. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11570535/A-League-fan-hurled-bucket-goalkeeper-Thomas-Glover-previously-banned-games.html Thank you, Sun. "It comes after an Adelaide United supporter alleged that one of the pitch invaders in Melbourne was the same man who left him with a fractured skull earlier this season."
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Thank! With what you say, I have learnt Horda. Probably, it is a Greek group. https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/aleague-invaders-unmasked-with-link-to-banned-football-gang/news-story/8df4ae267aa9d67256a8005db1aa68da
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
The very best take I've read on twitter is that this is an interim measure to provide a level of security for forthcoming games (they quickly had to do something on that front). We can probably still expect more sanctions from the ruling body. Having said that, we need to be aware of the unusual dynamics we are witnessing. The FA is still responsible for disciplinary action, but one could anticipate the APL, who are concerned for the economic viability of the league, lobbying behind the scenes to make sure any sanction doesn't impact overwhelmingly on the already poor financial state of the league. Then we have the influence of City Group, what to you reckon they are lobbying for? :)
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
They are punishing others and rewarding Horda and co. Having away fans there while they have no active would be the best punishment. Why not take a collective civil lawsuit against Horda, sue them for millions, they have easily cost Victory about 10 million over the years. Nothing better than bankrupting every single one of these worms and their hanger ons.
Grem
Roar Rookie
That’s fair enough. As a member of a club, it would be unfair for me to be denied access because of a few idiots in the active section. The huge majority of fans are fine and deserve to attend.
Grem
Roar Rookie
As the problems were caused by a small minority (and they are being weeded out and dealt with) then that seems fair enough. As a Sydney member it would be unfair if I couldn’t use my membership because a few idiots from The Cove did something bad.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Not able to sell tickets to games, no active support sections, members only, Victory supporters unable to travel to away games - sounds quite strong for starters. I believe the FA have taken this extremely seriously already and are acting - compare this to other sports and there are definite punishments taking place now. The AFL’s “independent” investigation into racism at Hawthorn is still going on and on.
TK
Guest
Interesting that.
Ac
Guest
Sadly I think it’s too late for this season. Too much damage has been done. It’s time that the fan blocks that each club seem to have realise they aren’t the main attraction.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Members are still allowed to show up to home games.
Nifty Nick
Guest
Its a criminal matter which is being dealt with by the police. To penalize the players, 99.025% of well behaved Victory fans, sponsors and worst of all will deprive other clubs of a decent gate. Decent security and a visible police presence goes a long way to preventing this from being considered by those criminals who are slowly but surely being dealt with by the law. That's aside from the buffoon Townsend and also Glover inciting the crowd. Those 150 fans may have caused temporary damage but to have the A- league without Victory is a sure fire way to extinction.
Mark Baptist
Guest
So basically, this means that the Melbourne Victory are literally a club that can't sell tickets and have nobody show up to their games. Also, I imagine any protests against the APL have been effectively banned as well (here, seriously discouraged elsewhere): this seems fair, given they were the catalyst for the sickening events on December 17. So what are the final sanctions going to be, one wonders?
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Pretty much
Mark
Guest
FA and APL can show cause why I should attend another Socceroos home game or APL game again. I’ll save my money for Socceroos away games. The 48 team World Cup will be a shambles, but at least the change of qualifying format will open up some away destinations in Asia.
Marcel
Guest
Poor response from the FA.....it basically amounts to saying.... sorry but I'm off on my holidays, I'll deal with it when I get back. I understand the importance of due process but there is nothing new that they can learn in their "ongoing investigation" ..there is nothing additional that MV can present in terms of reasoning to limit their penalty. It needed to be dealt with by now.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Cooked, it’s cooked I tell ya.