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Joe Lolley was outstanding for the Sky Blues, scoring a brace as Sydney FC equaled their biggest ever victory.
Melbourne Victory’s active supporter group has followed through on its threat to walk out of the club’s A-League match against Adelaide United.
Around 1000 fans from the North Terrace have left Etihad Stadium after half an hour to protest against what they see as heavy-handed treatment by Football Federation Australia (FFA) of banned fans.
The issue reached boiling point after a list of 198 fans, banned from attending the A-League for anti-social behaviour, was detailed last Sunday in News Corp Australia newspapers.
Fan groups across the A-League have made their displeasure known with what they see as a lack of support from the governing body and a privacy breach.
Earlier, Victory’s fan group unveiled banners reading “198 Bans, 0 Appeals” and later, “It’s in your hands” – a clear message to FFA.
As they filed out, they were greeted by warm applause from the Etihad Stadium crowd, demonstrating support for their cause.
Victory were leading the match 2-0 after first-half goals to Besart Berisha and Oliver Bozanic.
On Friday night, Melbourne City supporter group ‘Melburnians’ chose to vacate their position behind the goal to watch their club’s 5-1 belting of Perth Glory.
Before kickoff, they showed off signs reading “No Fans No Football” and “Terraces Not Terrorists”.
The latter is a reference to Sydney radio personality Alan Jones, who compared A-League fans to terrorists involved in the Paris attacks.
City fans also produced a “We Stand By the 198” banner before security ripped it up and confiscated it.
Western Sydney supporter group Red and Black Bloc have pledged similar action to the North Terrace on Sunday when they play Central Coast.
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Joe Lolley was outstanding for the Sky Blues, scoring a brace as Sydney FC equaled their biggest ever victory.
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