The A-League has been rocked by the possibly of one of the most devastating fan revolts the game in Australia has ever seen.
Walkouts from active supporter groups across the country, due to the unfairness of the current appeals process for banned fans (or lack thereof) has seen empty supporter sections across stadiums and has put Football Federation Australia in hot water. Further to this, the responses from football’s governing body this week came about as meek and purely a façade.
But we now stand at a tender moment.
Should supporter groups, in particular the Red and Black Block of Western Sydney and The Cove of Sydney FC, choose not to attend this weekend’s games, then it may be a path that becomes a worrying sign of the future.
Currently, the fans want to see CEO David Gallop and even head of the A-League Damien De Bohun resign due to their positions becoming untenable, but the most likely outcome is a meeting of all the parties to sort out differences. While the supporters may want to action their power in order to revolutionise the governing body, this is not a stable position for football in Australia. Should people resign due to this fiasco, then further down the path, when the fans do not agree once again, they may look to wield their power again, creating a spiral that will go around and around until the game, loved by millions across the country, becomes the casualty.
This leaves two key areas, which need to be explored.
Firstly, after this weekend, the fans must return to the games. The walkouts and now the boycotts have sent a message. They show their unwavering position on the issue and have sent the strongest message any action could have. All supporter groups must be congratulated for the nation-wide cohesion throughout their actions and also the peaceful way they have handled themselves; it is a credit to the wonderful supporters this game has.
However, if supporters were to continue boycotts and walkouts, then how would that look for the game? Half-empty stadiums around grounds that really cannot afford to be losing these fans. Atmospheres that border on silence. While it would be a continually strong message, it would also miss the mark. Do you think Fox Sports or Optus want to have a bidding war over the TV rights of a game in disrepute, where fans do not attend games and cracks have spread between the fans and the governing body? It affects the viability of the league and in the end, not matter how much people support the game, it would kill the A-League.
Secondly, the FFA must look at Brisbane Roar for an example of how to go about working through this issue. Throughout the offseason, Brisbane Roar went through the mud to the point where questions marks were raised in regards to their viability for the upcoming season. Fast-forward four months and the for sale sign has come down, the team is third on the ladder and membership has increased.
This is all down to fan engagement. The club recognised they had wronged the fans, they recognised that without the fans the club was nothing. Forums with the fan base and discussions with active supporter groups led to the lessening of issues and a general cohesion was felt throughout the club.
This is the path the FFA should follow. Open up the floor for supporters to voice the opinions, and do not just blankly stare, engage, discuss. Instead, take their opinions and change the appeals process so that it reflects the discussions. Show the fans that you can listen.
For now, Brisbane travels to Western Sydney, where one club fresh from a crisis meets another club who has taken a leadership role in a new crisis. Both teams need to focus on the field, focus upon creating a brand of football worth all of this arguing, because it is with attractive football and a positive style of play that more fans will want to come to the A-League.
For these clubs, top spot is at stake. Off the field, it is a matter of respect. And for now, the fans need to realise that sooner rather than later they need to return to the stadium, otherwise the game they love will be untenable.
For the FFA, the next two weeks stand as the most crucial. It is time to acknowledge that football must be a game where the opinions of everyone, especially the fans, are treated with respect.
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