Morons not Fans
So as football fans we spend another week talking about the behaviour of a few individuals instead of a cracking 89th minute equalising goal. As football fans, we never defend the actions of these individuals but we find ourselves constantly defending our game and the reputation of our sport.
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Whilst the incident happened in the away section of the Western Sydney Wanderers I don’t blame the club or individual supporters. I blame those insipid morons who are stupid enough to enter Etihad Stadium with the intent to light flares, disrupt the game and once again bring shame to our sport. Those individuals who make the decision to light flares aren’t welcome at our game and should be both publically and privately shunned. Bringing a flare into any A-League fixture isn’t ‘cool’ and doesn’t create atmosphere, it actually brings the complete opposite; you look moronic, the flare detracts from the game and you once again give those who have an anti football agenda a legitimate soapbox.
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When football fans walk into AAMI Park for the game this week and it takes twenty minutes to get passed security don’t blame the poor chap searching your bag think of those individuals who continue to bring shame to our game by smuggling flares and detonators into stadiums. The eyes of the sporting media will be watching the Melbourne derby this weekend, not because a scintillating game is expected and the game has many finals implications, but because crowd behaviour is once again a topic for discussion.
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The game itself creates enough atmosphere without the need for pyrotechnics or flares. Whilst still in its infancy the derby has grown organically and is now another not to be missed sporting occasion in Melbourne.
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As a club Western Sydney find themselves having to answer a ‘please explain’ notice for the behaviour of moronic fans. Once again it’s a very small minority so I refuse to tar the clubs supporters with the one brush.
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In a very short time Wanderers fans have managed to achieve so many great moments on the field but off the field the reputation their fans have isn’t so esteemed. Through social media and at the ground you know real Wanderers fans just like the club are fed up by the actions of these Neanderthals who continue to have the focus drawn towards their flare lighting minority.
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Let’s find those individuals responsible for lighting the flares and hand down significant bans, you are not wanted by football fans in Australia and are doing the game a complete disservice.
As for the club what type of punishment should it receive? First of all should the owners of the club receive a sanction from the league for bringing our game into disrepute?
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Because of the events that occurred Saturday night and given it’s not the first incident Western Sydney have been involved in I reluctantly agree the FFA need to take action against the club and show the general sporting public it means action.
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I think a monetary fine would be harsh on the owners and a points deduction would be ludicrous.
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In Europe you might expect the next few Wanderers home games to be played behind closed doors but let’s face it, the league cannot afford that decision financially. A suspended penalty would come off too light given the club has previous form for poor spectator behaviour.
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You can imagine how tough it is for David Gallop to hand down a sanction on this issue.
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Personally I would ban Western Sydney supporters for all Melbourne Victory games for the 2016/17 season. I understand you are punishing the majority for the actions of the minority but the league must be seen to act in relation to the continuation of flares at games. Whilst it would be tough to keep legitimate Wanderers fans out of the game I would rule than an ‘Away bay’ remain empty for any Victory vs. Wanderers fixture next season as a reminder to those idiots who continue to bring flares into stadiums they are certainly not wanted by any football fan in Australia.
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Personally I detest flares, have no time for them and never will. I don’t see the purpose of bringing in a dangerous object into a crowded space just so a few individuals can create attention for themselves.
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Football in Australia doesn’t need flares or the attention it brings.
Unfortunately, the FFA appear to have been backed into a corner on this issue. There have been so many incidents involving Wanderers fans (and yes, I know they’re not the only ones, but they have been involved – if not responsible – for the majority in the last three years), with punishments such as fines and suspended point deductions already having been imposed, that the only credible choice left to the FFA is to dock points.
Maybe this time the wannabe “fully sick ultras” will learn something, but if past experience is any guide, I’m not optimistic.
And before anyone trots out the “but in Europe…” defence, UEFA are quick to hand out fines and point deductions when flares are used in the crowd.