Football Federation Australia has introduced a number of new measures in its banning regulations on Monday after reviewing its procedures.
The new measures and recommendations address a variety of issues, including the continually sticky issue of flares, appeals for banned fans and dialogue between the governing body and various fan groups.
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The four notable changes ratified by the FFA are as follows, according to a statement:
- FFA has introduced a “Notice of Intention to Ban” process, giving persons facing a ban the opportunity to make a submission and provide evidence to FFA for consideration before FFA makes its decision to impose a ban.
- As part of the new procedure, FFA will provide access to evidence that it is legally allowed to disclose to the person. Where it is unable to provide access to the evidence FFA will provide a description and the legal impediment will be identified. FFA will continue to work with police, venues and other third parties to break down the legal barriers that exist to providing access. This may include the ability to disclose evidence to a qualified legal practitioner with appropriate undertakings.
- FFA has introduced the right for banned persons to appeal FFA’s decision to issue a ban to a three-person Football Independent Banning Appeals Committee (FIBAC) consisting of a pool of 12 prominent barristers and legal practitioners. It will be chaired by His Honour Judge Rauf Soulio of the District Court of South Australia, who is the former chairman of the Australian Multicultural Council, an arbitrator in the international Court of Arbitration for Sport and retiring President of Football Federation South Australia.
- The 198 persons who are currently banned, will be able to apply to have their case reviewed by the FIBAC if they dispute that they engaged in the conduct for which they were banned.
Both FFA chairman Steven Lowy and CEO David Gallop were pleased with the outcome of the review that the former labelled “disciplined”.
Both men reiterated the FFA’s zero tolerance stance on anti-social behaviour.
“We were determined not to make a knee-jerk response to this complex issue,” Lowy said.
“Extensive consultations were held with stakeholders, including fan groups, clubs, state federations, stadia managers and state police forces.
“The result will provide a more comprehensive process to those facing bans because of anti-social behaviour and delivers on the commitment made by FFA in its meeting with fan groups in December last year.
“At the same time it underscores the paramount duty of FFA to provide a safe environment for all true football fans and maintains our policy of zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour.”
“It shows if we all work together we can ensure the unique passion and atmosphere at football matches is celebrated and preserved for all true football fans as we strive to grow our game,” Gallop said.
“This new procedure allows a person facing a ban the opportunity to put forward their case at no cost before the ban is imposed, greater access to evidence where legally possible and the right to appeal a ban to an independent appeal committee.
“In developing a new procedure, we have maintained our firm stance on safety at football matches. Our paramount responsibility is to ensure that every fan that goes to a game can enjoy a safe environment.
“Our policy of zero-tolerance towards anti-social behaviour has not changed.”
The review came about after supporters of all 10 A-League clubs came together, protesting their displeasure with the FFA’s then-banning process.
Gallop shed some light on the flare issue, one that has plagued the A-League for the past fortnight after both Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory were handed show cause notices for the behaviour of their supporters.
The Wanderers were handed a $50,000 fine and a suspended three-point deduction with a similar punishment likely to be delivered to their Victorian counterparts.
FFA will introduce a “flare awareness” campaign that will aim to highlight the dangers of the devices. The new measures also warn that more penalties for clubs will be handed out when fans discharge flares.
“The last week has highlighted that the small number of troublemakers who discharge flares and associated devices, and those who are accessories to that behaviour, pose a threat to safety and our goal to grow the game.”
“FFA, clubs and true football fans have been united in their disdain.
“FFA is committed to ridding the game of these people who masquerade as fans while lighting flares and other devices.
“We will also be implementing a national campaign that will clearly illustrate the danger flares pose to people at football matches and will consider penalties for clubs whose fans take part in this illegal behaviour.”
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