The thing that gets me is this isn't an isolated incident. Victory fans have been badly behaved for years and the club hasn't done anything about it. It doesn't just happen in the A-League Men either, it happens in the A-League Women, it happens in the NPL, etc. Players have talked about having things thrown at them, there's been numerous fights, flares, etc. there was even talk about opposition fans having bottles of piss thrown on them.
It's a balance, the league is struggling so you don't want Victory to fold and you don't want to destroy active support, but there needs to be a change at Victory so this seems light.
I can think of two other sanctions and they seem more severe than what the Victory has been given for lesser crimes. The first was us being fined $1 million for not meeting metrics (although Dome intimated that this was BS it was widely reported).
The second was Perth Glory being fined $300 odd k and being unable to finish higher than 7th for breaching the salary cap.
Seeing as Melbourne only has to pay $400k of the $550k "fine" and is having no points deduction, the Perth sanctions were higher than what Melbourne is facing. Which might be fair, it's the fans not the club in this case, except, as I said above, the club has known that this is how their fans have behaved for years and have just risked it.
I expected them to forefeit the game and to get points deductions over financial fines.
I would have preferred that they got points deductions rather than a fine. It was the fans, not the club at fault. It also makes a joke of "banning". "Life Time Bans" and some of those offenders were already on bans. I feel for the security guys trying to enforce that one.
Theres biometric systems that will recognise people in a crowd based on things like facial features and walking gait and will alert security.
If the active groups won't report people who they know shouldn't be there then the only real way to enforce it is through technology. Having a bunch of security guards with some photos trying to spot dozens of people out of thousands is not going to work.
Melbourne & Olympic Park Trust have finally responded to the questions I sent them for this story, but failed to answer a direct one as to whether facial recognition technology is currently in place at AAMI Park, and haven't detailed the "several measures" like I asked them to. https://t.co/hWTrQMUzWxpic.twitter.com/zILbjIq4NB
So they are condoning the behaviour of those who ran onto the field?? They lost credibility with that behaviour. But the point about finals in Sydney is still a valid one. Sold the soul for 30 pieces of Silver.
So they are condoning the behaviour of those who ran onto the field?? They lost credibility with that behaviour. But the point about finals in Sydney is still a valid one. Sold the soul for 30 pieces of Silver.
they undermined it. Destroyed the high ground the fans had.
It's a shame when the PFA engaged with the fan groups that it was only with select few. I was hoping that the PFA, phoenix or fever would have recorded it and put it online for the wider fanbase to hear the conversation
yeah, the Victory fanbase (OSM) have no grounds to be preaching to the rest of the fan groups about boycotting etc, that very weekend most of the groups left/moved from their active areas, the OSM crew did what they did.
I too would have liked the PFA engagement with fans to have been more open, sure get a number from each group together, but you could have at least streamed the discussion and made it a public forum - the technology exists to involve everyone.
Yea that's a fudgeed response. Quite clear that the OSM fan base supported the storming of the pitch when the write off that every other fan base just rolled over and took it.
The other fanbases protested in a non-violent way. If that is just rolling over and their choice was what happened and there is no apology, it ain't hard to put 2 and 2 together.
That Victory behaviour reminded me of why the NSL was canned and the A League formed!
Transparency from all parties and proper media exposure would be nice as various fans groups may give feedback to their members but what about the fans whom don't belong to any?? For example, not every Nix fan hangs out of this site and might wish to know what is going on within the game so to speak.
Yeah I remember the days when the NSL had clubs that were/are built by ex-pat communites and the clear hatred between the fans was vile - the pitch invasion was very similar to scenes of those years.
Agree, not every follower of the a-league is an "active" member - but their voice is just as important as our, moreso even as they need to be engaged with more to keep their attention.
Anthony Di Pietro has announced that after 18 years as a Director and 13 seasons as the Chairman of Melbourne Victory Football Club, that he will be retiring as Club Chairman and subsequently stepping away from official Club duties. Thank you, Chairman!
Understand that Newcastle Jets assistant Arthur Diles has left the club. He's believed to be joining the staff of Melbourne Victory. Diles previously worked with Tony Popović at Greek club Xanthi.
We're pleased to announce that Arthur Diles and Davide Del Giovine will join the Club’s @aleaguemen coaching staff under Head Coach, Tony Popovic for the 2023/24 season.
Obviously relating to the sideline spray aimed at Halloran and/or Veart, does anybody happen to know whether there's any truth to this?
It'd be awfully handy if Bruno had to sit out Friday's match – especially given Miranda's suspension plus the injury doubts involving both Traore and Geria.
Understand that Adelaide United assistant manager and ex-Socceroo Mark Milligan has been sounded out for the Melbourne Victory manager role ahead of next season, amidst a contract standoff with incumbent manager Tony Popović.
Melbourne Victory are preparing for a coaching change, continuing to baulk at Tony Popovic's - who may be interested in joining Melbourne City - asking price.
List of candidates:
- Robbie Fowler - Patrick Kisnorbo - Mark Milligan - Hayden Foxe
Melbourne Victory are preparing for a coaching change, continuing to baulk at Tony Popovic's - who may be interested in joining Melbourne City - asking price.
List of candidates:
- Robbie Fowler - Patrick Kisnorbo - Mark Milligan - Hayden Foxe
