FFA sanctions Melbourne Victory with $50,000 fine and suspended three point deduction

Sydney

Wednesday 17 February 2016

FFA sanctions Melbourne Victory with $50,000 fine and suspended three point deduction

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today fined Melbourne Victory $50,000 and imposed a suspended three (3) competition point deduction after finding the club guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.

The finding relates to the misconduct of some Melbourne Victory supporters before, during and after last weekend’s Melbourne Derby at AAMI Park.

FFA has handed down the sanction after Melbourne Victory supporters were found to have taken part in a series of incidents, including the ignition of flares outside and inside AAMI Park, an alleged assault on TV news personnel outside the stadium, throwing missiles at a Melbourne City player and a Victoria Police officer, and altercations with police after the match.

Where a serious incident occurs that FFA determines should trigger the suspended sanction, the club will immediately lose three points in the Hyundai A-League.  This will apply to incidents that occur in or around any matches the club participates in and will be in place for a period of 12 months, through to 13 February 2017.

“The behaviour of a number of Melbourne Victory supporters last Saturday night was deplorable and cast a shadow over what was a fabulous game of A-League football,” said FFA CEO David Gallop.

“It’s staggering that these dangerous incidents happened just days after FFA had applied sanctions to the Western Sydney Wanderers because of the actions of some fans. The focus on fan behaviour could not have been more acute.

“If there is any bright note in this situation, it is the refreshing attitude shown by both clubs through their CEOs, coaches and players. They are saying ‘enough is enough’. As leaders and ambassadors of their clubs, they want to be part of the solution.”

In determining the sanctions against Melbourne Victory, FFA has taken in mitigation the club’s submission, in which it commits to review and enhance safety and security measures at matches involving Victory. FFA acknowledges Melbourne Victory’s long standing efforts to manage fan behaviour issues.

FFA reiterates its policy of zero tolerance to behaviour that affects the enjoyment and safety of patrons at Hyundai A-League matches.

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