Melbourne Victory have been spared an immediate points deduction but will play the next three-and-a-half seasons with a 10-point sanction and the threat of a transfer ban hanging over their heads.
Football Australia on Tuesday issued the club with $550,000 in fines stemming from last month’s violent pitch invasion in their A-League Men derby with Melbourne City.
Victory will be forced to resume the match in April as part of the response announced by FA chief executive James Johnson at a Sydney press conference.
The four-time ALM champions have accepted the sanctions and have stated they will disband their active supporter group, which FA had banned for the rest of the current campaign.
“Deducting points (immediately) was considered,” Johnson said.
“What we decided is that what is important is the integrity of our competition.
“We felt that if we were to implement a points deduction now, it wasn’t the most effective way of deterring the fans.
“If a spectator runs onto the pitch and there’s an assault, there will be an automatic 10-point deduction and if that were to occur, that will destroy Melbourne Victory’s (season).”
The suspended points deduction only applies to the club’s ALM side and will last until the end of the 2025-26 season, with any similar violent incidents likely to invoke its application.
The FA boss said his organisation had shown they were willing to crack down on crowd violence.
He claimed the game’s governing body, who regulate the ALM on behalf of the Australian Professional Leagues, would meet any further misbehaviour with harsher penalties.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
“In future you’re going to see as a regulator, be able to use other mechanisms, such as club licensing rules or transfer system sanctions as well,” Johnson said.
Johnson said City goalkeeper Tom Glover would not be punished for hurling a flare into Victory’s active supporter bay.
The incident was viewed as the trigger point for the pitch invasion which led to Glover and referee Alex King being attacked.
“He gets off on this occasion,” Johnson said.
“We do need some protocols to educate players about (flares) and that’s something our taskforce will look at.”
Rather than award a walkover to City following the violence, the game will resume from the 22nd minute – the time when Victory fans stormed the pitch and assaulted opposition goalkeeper Glover.
City will retain their 1-0 lead from the abandoned match.
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)
“Whoever wins the competition needs to be remembered for winning it on the pitch,” Johnson said.
“Whether you’re deducting points from Melbourne Victory or you’re giving points to City, it’s something we wanted to avoid. We wanted the integrity of the season to remain intact.”
The $550,000 penalty represents the biggest fine in the sport’s history in Australia. It comprises $350,000 in an immediate fine, a three-and-a-half-year $100,000 suspended fine, and $100,000 to make-up for lost revenue.
Away supporter bays will be closed off to Victory fans for the remainder of the season.
To date, FA have handed out 17 bans to supporters who charged the pitch.
Sam
Guest
At first I thought they should have points docked immediately, but a quick look at the table reminded me how rubbish Victory are this year anyway so wouldn’t make a difference.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
The behaviour of fans has had an impact on media coverage?
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
The club could request costs be awarded if they are found guilty, or even better, civilly sue those involved to cover the cost associated with their behaviour. Nothing would show the seriousness of the club like suing its own fans
Marcel
Guest
IFAB Laws of the Game 2022-23 5. Abandoned match An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules or organisers determine otherwise. Oddly I cant track down the A-League Competition rules....but it is a protocol decided by the individual competitions and not IFAB..... The State leagues have their rules are available online and they vary quite substaintially in their wording and intent....but the common denominator is that the relevant League/Authority is entitled to make whatever decision it wants.
Marcel
Guest
I had expected to see pretty much the opposite, as in ....Points deduction + City 3-0 + a suspended fine/bond on the club......So Im having some difficulty following the FAs thinking behind this.. Assuming that the purpose of any sanctions is meant to be both punitive and a future deterrant...then this is as much of direct deterrant for the idiots on the terraces as getting Daddy to pay your parking fines. What it does clearly communicate is that in the view of the FA, the problem lies firstly with the club and that its their responsibility to get their house in order...
Grem
Roar Rookie
Just as accurate as your tips - check out the clicks in racing and tennis!
Tigertown
Guest
I’m going to put a punt on the trots now. Viva la harness racing! Who needs football. Follow me down to Flemington, folks. Tra-la-la-la-la.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Not many responses in those two sports.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Not resorting to anything – just stating facts and my opinions – as you have tried to do as well. If you want some whataboutisms …what about when cricket fans’ behaviour was so disgusting (drunk and violent fans fighting, yelling abuse, running into the field, constantly ejected, etc) on the hill at the SCG that they punished the sport – no – they ripped down the hill and built the Victor Trumper Stand and started serving low alcohol beer. They looked for solutions only. What happened at the football game was disgusting and the punishment is harsh and deserved.
Garry
Roar Rookie
use the a- z link
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
You're resorting to whataboutism...if you can't mount a reasoned response, don't mount one.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Looks like Football just isnt getting the clicks these days compared to Racing and Tenis. #BringBackFootball
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Wondering that myself
Marcel
Guest
:laughing: :laughing:
Franko
Guest
Has football come off the tab of sports at the top? Are we in "more" now?
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
and replayed by racing which does not have much of a following on this site. I think it must be a mistake given football (soccer) is pretty topical at moment.
Ferno
Guest
There is a FIFA rule that only when at least 60 min have been played it can be called a game. Otherwise, the game restarts from the minute it stopped in another date
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
You know things are bad for football in this country when The Roar removes the football quick link tab at the top of the page. What's going on with that?
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I would have liked to see the points deductions and fines also be related to the use of flares, not just entry to the ground and violence. No flares and this issue would not have occurred. I wonder if the need cages in front of the the supporters in the future to stop field invasion? Set an example by making the supporters involved look like the animals they behaved like.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Anyone notice football no longer appears as ac ode along the top? We have racing which is pure businesss and NOT a sport but tennis seems to have our spot..