FFA CEO David Gallop says he expects the governing body will take action early in the week after crowd problems took the gloss of Saturday night’s enthralling Melbourne Derby.
City and Victory produced a gripping contest, culminating in a 2-2 draw, yet a portion of Victory fans took it upon themselves to ignite flares despite several warnings not to do so.
The microscope had been on fan behaviour in the A-League all week after the Western Sydney Wanderers were issued with a $50,000 fine and suspended three-point deduction for the behaviour of their fans at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night.
Gallop said he was “staggered” some fans thought it appropriate to discharge flares following the week’s events.
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“We are gathering information from Victoria Police and others on the incidents that occurred before and during last night’s A-League match at AAMI Park in Melbourne,” Gallop said in a statement.
“In particular, we are deeply concerned by the ignition of flares inside and outside the stadium by people identified as Melbourne Victory supporters.
“Given the circumstances we found ourselves in after last week’s incidents involving a section of Western Sydney Wanderers supporters at Etihad Stadium, it’s staggering that some Victory fans chose to act in this way.
“The spotlight could not have been more on fan behaviour.
“We expect to be able to announce the next steps in relation to these incidents tomorrow (Monday).
It is worth noting they have cast a shadow over what was a fabulous game of football. Clearly, we would prefer to be talking about a pulsating 2-2 contest that was an exciting exhibition of our players’ skills and the closeness of our competition.”
Victory have been sanctioned for the actions of their fans before. In 2013, the club was handed a suspended three-point deduction that never materialised following similar incidents in a clash against Western Sydney at AAMI Park.
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