Football Federation Australia has fined Western Sydney Wanderers $50,000 as well as a suspended three competition points deduction after the club was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.
The fines come after a disrupted 1-1 draw between Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium. The game was temporarily halted in the early stages of the game due to a number of flares being set off in the Wanderers’ away bay.
Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas slammed the team’s supporters’ group known as the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) for their behaviour. “Stop using our club as a promotional vehicle for your own selfish and narcissistic purposes,” he said. “You are not wanted and you never will be.”
“Show your passion as any true football fan would,” Tsatsimas said. “But don’t do it as a hooligan. For those who cannot or will not comply, do not come back, you are not welcome.”
Western Sydney Wanderers remain top of the A-League table with the risk of points deductions should another serious incident occur. Wanderers host Wellington Phoenix this Sunday at Parramatta Stadium. – Anthony Johnston
Top photo of Saturday’s incident from SBS The World Game’s Facebook page.
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