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Opinion
Wellington Phoenix’s extraordinary 1-0 win over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Saturday has done nothing to dispel the theory that the A-League disproportionately favours certain teams.
That was one of the craziest finishes we’ve ever seen to an A-League game. When referee Shaun Evans awarded his second penalty within the space of 90 stoppage-time seconds, it looked like the Sky Blues had earned a get out of jail free card.
But for the second time in less than two minutes, Sydney FC’s star English striker Adam Le Fondre missed from the penalty spot – skewing his second effort wide after Wellington keeper Oli Sail saved his initial spot-kick.
It was a disastrous sequence of events for Le Fondre but vindication, of sorts, for the Phoenix – who were incensed with the officiating.
Evans had earlier dismissed Wellington striker Bozhidar Kraev for a second bookable offence, before handing a straight red to Nicholas Pennington for violent conduct after the substitute grabbed Sydney FC attacker Max Burgess by the throat.
The Kiwis were already 1-0 up thanks to Oskar Zawada’s well-taken tenth-minute goal, but Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay looked like he was about to spontaneously combust on the touchline following the two dismissals.
The first red card looked harsh, even if the Bulgarian Kraev caught Sydney FC substitute Adrian Segecic from behind, while Pennington gave Evans little option once he raised his hands to Burgess – who also copped a yellow card after the pair squared up to each other.
But it was the decision to award Sydney FC their first penalty that should raise questions.
In defence of Evans, he not only made the decision quickly but did so in real time, after it genuinely looked like Phoenix defender Tim Payne handled the ball.
But replays suggested neither the cross from Burgess nor the header from Le Fondre touched Payne’s hand – so why didn’t VAR overturn it?
Oli Sail spared the A-Leagues’ blushes – and subsequently gave Evans a mouthful – only for the referee to then award Sydney FC a second penalty for handball from the resultant follow-up!
Once again Le Fondre went for power, only to blast his second spot-kick effort wide.
It was one of the craziest finishes we’ve ever witnessed and will do nothing to dispel the growing online conspiracy theory that the Australian Professional Leagues is desperate for the Sydney teams to make the finals.
Yet the behaviour of one of the Melbourne sides should also have raised some eyebrows.
Wellington Phoenix fans (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Prior to their 4-0 annihilation of Western United in Saturday night’s grand final rematch, Melbourne City took it upon themselves to unilaterally ban active supporters from buying tickets behind the goal.
Viewers tuning in on Channel Ten and Paramount – who must be wondering what on earth they’ve signed up for – were greeted by the sight of black tarps covering almost three entire bays normally occupied by The City Terrace.
One fan on Twitter even alleged he was told to leave in the 70th minute because he’d a bought a General Admission ticket after supposedly being banned.
Tonight, my loyalty to Melbourne City, and this League, this sport that i love, has been tested.
— Braiden | #KB43VER ???? (@Braidoss53) January 7, 2023
I was removed from AAMI park around the 70th Minute and charged with “Trespassing” during the City Vs Western United game as they identified me as an Active Supporter whom 1/3
And while Melbourne City supporters were hardly blameless in the events that caused last month’s Melbourne derby to be postponed, City’s decision to cut off ticket sales to their home end sets a dangerous precedent.
Mind you, with some Western United supporters complaining about chants directed at City goalkeeper Tom Glover from their own Western Service Crew, we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to the fact that far too many young men still believe the A-League offers the perfect smokescreen for anti-social behaviour.
APL chief Danny Townsend is set to sit down with supporter groups once again this week – nothing will come of it, of course, and the league will host the grand final in Sydney to thousands of empty seats – and he’d do well to ensure his name doesn’t become synonymous with mismanagement.
Because we can’t go on tuning into A-League games full of empty seats forever, and events this weekend have done little to dispel the notion the APL is only interested in a select few teams.