Fan groups from 11 A-League clubs condemn pitch invasion disgrace and hit competition bosses with list of demands – but Melbourne Victory supporters stay SILENT
- 11 A-League fan groups condemned the disgraceful scenes from AAMI Park
- Also collectively demanded the APL apologise for Sydney grand final deal
- Went onto confirm further ‘peaceful protests’ will unfold at A-League games
- Supporters from Melbourne Victory not part of the social media statement
- Follows ‘fans’ storming the pitch last Saturday, Melbourne derby abandoned
Supporter groups from 11 A-League clubs have collectively condemned the disgraceful scenes from last Saturday at AAMI Park – but fans of Melbourne Victory opted to stay silent.
The supporters also published a list of demands on social media related to the controversial decision by the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) to sell the next three grand finals to Sydney.
The demands included the APL forming an ‘A-Leagues Supporters Committee’ to consult on major decisions and approve a governance overhaul which would give the APL board ‘total independence from any club’s involvement’.
Delivering a ‘wholehearted and unreserved apology’ over the grand final decision until 2025 and potentially backing out of the deal with Destination NSW were also expressed on Twitter.
The statement further outlined plans for ‘peaceful protests’ at A-League games to continue until the APL provided ‘a reasonable response’ on the issue as a way to avoid ‘further fan furore around the way decisions are made’.
Football ‘fans’ storming the pitch at AAMI Park – the Melbourne derby was later abandoned
A bleeding Tom Glover of Melbourne City is escorted from the pitch by team mates after fans stormed the pitch at AAMI Park
‘As a code, we cannot continue to shoot ourselves in the foot by making choices that directly impact supporters without their full consultation,’ the collective statement read.
‘Without a reasonable response from the APL on these issues, supporters could be forced into further protest action. Help us save the game we love that is under your care.
‘Our determination will remain strong.’
It follows soccer’s ‘darkest day’ in Australia last weekend, when a group of ‘fans’ stormed the pitch during the derby in Melbourne and City goalkeeper Tom Glover was attacked with a bucket, leaving him concussed and needing stitches.
With an investigation from Victoria Police ongoing, two men aged 23 and 19 have been issued life bans from ‘all related football activity’.
A man simply identified as ‘Bucket Man’ won’t be attending any A-League games anytime soon
Police say at least 50 flares were thrown from the stands at AAMI Park on Saturday. Pictured is one of the new photos released by Victoria Police
APL boss Danny Townsend is not a popular figure with many football fans after his Sydney grand final announcement earlier this month
Football Australia issued Melbourne Victory with two show cause notices following the saga – and more sanctions could be handed down leading into Christmas.
They include Victory fans – regarded as the most passionate in the competition – potentially being banned from attending games for the rest of the A-League season, which FA chief executive James Johnson admitted was on the cards on Wednesday morning.
‘Football has a zero-tolerance policy to disruptive, destructive, violent, and anti-social behaviour at its sanctioned events,’ Johnson said.
‘We will not tolerate behaviour that has the potential to threaten the safety or security of spectators, players, and officials.’