Before David Gallop and Steven Lowy addressed the media in yesterday’s press conference, which was an improvement on Tuesday’s debacle, journalists were given a briefing by the FFA.
They assured the gathered press the role of Hatamoto was necessary and that they had to be 110% certain before banning individuals.
During the press conference, Four Four Two Australia editor Kevin Airs mentioned their role in the context of another a question about confidentiality.
MORE: FFA CEO David Gallop: “We should have come out earlier”
MORE: From within, the ugly truth behind A-League active support policing
MORE: Converted football ‘lout’ sheds light on new love
They were mentioned only twice – once while the cameras were rolling, once while they were off.
Considering how much their presence alone is a cause of fan discontent, the uncomfortable silence from a majority of stakeholders about Hatamoto’s activities is deafening.
Supporter groups from Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, Western Sydney Wanderers, Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory all named Hatamoto’s role being up for review as a demand in their various statements over the last week.
There is also seething private animosity over their role policing active fans at Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United, despite them not being specifically mentioned in any statements outlining their disenchantment at the FFA.
This is no longer the bugbear of the two ‘troublemaker’ clubs in Victory and Wanderers. The fury has spread league wide to teams with no banned supporters or well-known troublemaker elements.
The stark reality is this – the longer this facet goes under the radar, the more prolonged this protest could become and the more anger grows amongst supporters as a result. They do not believe their claims are being taken seriously enough or have the confidence the FFA can resolve things on this unique front.
Considering some of the numbers privately thrown around that this private security force receives yearly, stakeholders should have every right to wonder whether the FFA is getting value for money in this agreement at the absolute minimum.
None of the claims in my story for The New Daily on Wednesday were refuted.
I have been in the privileged position to see numerous ban notices. The amount of factual errors and circumstantial evidence used in these documents should have been the motivation of Thursday’s announcement of a review, let alone a week long total supporter revolt.
Claims people had been arrested or charged by police when neither had occurred. Conflicting stories from multiple parties on events. Instances of people even being in two places at once.
Which goes to the heart of the issue – the intelligence gathering and current burden of proof is just not good enough. This is even before transparency and confidentiality are issues.
Even if the majority of the people on that banned list are guilty (and they very likely are), there are too many irregularities that I’ve seen with my own eyes to call this system ‘well-rounded’ and ‘robust’.
There are some on that list who I would have no issue with never being allowed back into to a football game again. Others on the other hand, have been mere victims of wrong time and place.
Hatamoto are hamstrung by their agreement with the FFA to discuss frankly what goes on. I honestly believe it would be more constructive to alter that, even if they were to say nothing. Their presence should be more known.
Maybe not all of it is their fault, but because of this arrangement, we’ll never be able to know.
As Steven Lowy said, it’s complex. And it is.
But a culture of silence is not how complex issues find their resolution.
Everyone must start talking about the elephant in the room or else there is a chance these boycotts could remain indefinite.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
