Police and media provoke Westie stereotypes

 

Nermin Bajric gives his thoughts on the ALeagues hot topic over the weekend.  Follow him on twitter (@nermin_au)

 

It’s not about the flares, as much as they want you to think so

While racism against Wellington Phoenix’s Paul Ifill is making headlines, the profit-driven propaganda and discrimination by Australia’s major commercial media bodies, Channel 7, 9, and 10, against the multicultural supporters of the Western Sydney Wanderers (WSW) is being brushed off as a battle against crime.

See also: ‘A-League Media Hipocrisy’ by Laurence Rosen http://www.fromthestandsal.com/?p=636

The WSW played Sydney FC (SFC) on Saturday in the A-League’s second Sydney Derby.  The away team from the west took out the clash 2-0, with Youssouf Hersi and captain Michael Beauchamp finding the net in the 24th and 77th minute, respectively.

But this is not about the game. This is about the spiteful stereotypes promoted the day after the game by Channel 7, 9, and 10 news, as well as the bias and improperly investigated incidents by police.

We have all seen and heard the headlines.

Let’s look at this chronologically. The WSW supporters arrived at Central Station in the afternoon, and proceeded to sing and chant down the city sidewalks on their way to the Bat and Ball pub in Moore Park and near Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) where the game was to be played later that evening.

Channel 7, 9, and 10 all reported that these supporters, who were huddled into a large pack, “raided a pub” during their march. If you’ve been in and around Surry Hills, you will recall that the suburb houses an abundance of these. Of course, many of these were filled with SFC supporters on the day.  Although, what has been propagated as an invasion, was actually a group of supporters walking past in order to get to the venue.

What isn’t being mentioned? WSW supporters actually crossed to the other side of the road once bumping into the particular pub being discussed. Yes, words were exchanged, and this went on from both ends. Yes, these words escalated to tension, but again, this went on from both sides.

Are Channel 7, 9, and 10 suggesting that such a large group is to avoid every single pub in the area? From there, it was a police escort all the way to the stadium. This isn’t unusual.  There is cooperation between WSW fan ‘leaders’ (capos) and Parramatta Police who, together, guide the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) to the stadium for every home game. The demographic is inspiring. Young adults, partners, and children all unite in song.

While in the city, police had their batons out, and pepper spray in hand. Assumptions before anything had even happened; something that has not occurred in Parramatta.

The game. Yes, there were flares, there was noise, and a few broken chairs.  I emphasise that <u>this occurred on both supporter ends</u>. The SFC Cove lit flares, coloured smoke bombs, and were rowdy as well.  While I have my opinion on flares, I do not intend to turn this into an elongated explanation. What I will say is that there has been an enormous overreaction.

The day concluded with three arrests. Again, Channel 7, 9, and 10 fail to mention the number of these at other sporting events, such as those at the NRL, AFL, and cricket, where drunken behaviour results in far more evictions and arrests than those that occurred at the SFS on Saturday. While similar numbers per capita, the presentation of these by the media varies greatly.  Intent and delivery is what matters.

The Channel 7 report for the game consisted of ongoing attacks against RBB.  The reporter was adamant that a single flare was lit in the Cove, and decided not to mention the numerous smoke bombs that were let off.  So why the misreporting by media and police? This is not only an assault on football, but the multicultural and geographical state of Sydney’s West.

Channel 7, 9, and 10 are all dedicated to other sporting codes. They pay big money for broadcasting rights, and what better way to drown out the A-League than file propaganda? That is exactly what is it. Propaganda.

More importantly though, it comes back to the ‘Westie’ stereotype. The multicultural Western suburbs of Sydney face ongoing discrimination and racism. We all constantly see it. If the West was not a mix of races, it would not be subject to such spite.

I will conclude by stating that, when it comes to issues such as this, it is important for football fans worldwide to set aside their team strip for a
moment and support the sport, and the A-League.

To the WSW and RBB, I say that it is important to ignore typical media hostility, discrimination, and racism. It is a desperate attempt by those parties to grab viewers, and nothing more. There is no validity and logic behind the perpetuated stereotypes.

Channel 7, 9, and 10 caused a problem where there wasn’t one. If we look at reports from Fox Sports, the Sydney Morning Herald, and even the Daily Telegraph, among others, it is clear that the behaviour and attitude of RBB is being commended as it brings to Australia the passion shared for the sport by Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle-East.

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