It was a comfortable victory on the pitch for Melbourne Victory who were a level above a struggling Adelaide United, but it was off the pitch which sent the Australian football community into a frenzy.
After a turbulent week, at the 30th minute of the match the Victory’s biggest active support group the North Terrace, walked out of the stadium leaving their active bay empty and the atmosphere non-existent.
Banners were held up with messages like, “Love Melbourne. Hate FFA”, “198 Bans, 0 Appeals” and “It’s in your hands.” And then they were off.
Their parting message, “[This] is in no way directed towards the team we love.”
In unison with the walk-out, the rest of the stadium stood in applause. FFA, take note.
Here is how Twitter reacted in support of the North Terrace’s actions:
This is #FFA summed up perfectly. Well said @TheRealBozza #MVCvADL “Football can’t do without its fans” pic.twitter.com/ACT505dLuG
— Tāñńër Cøäd (@Tanner_Coad19) November 28, 2015
Whack. pic.twitter.com/0LyKv4VC9W — Outside90 (@Outside90) November 28, 2015
A lot of things have broken my heart over the years but seeing active fans walk out of a game like this is damn hard. #MVCvADL — Lucy Zelic (@LucyZelic) November 28, 2015
Full credit to the Northern Terrace. A protest that reverberates around the country, from the smallest fan to the highest office. #MVCvADL — Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) November 28, 2015
Solidarity. Will the FFA get the message? #MVCvADL (photo by @BdeBuen ) pic.twitter.com/tJbP3uWy8g
— Thin White Line (@TweetWhiteLine) November 28, 2015
Mass exodus by #MVFC active supporters as North Terrace stages a walkout from @EtihadStadiumAU in 30th Min. #MVCvADL pic.twitter.com/qgU7GJILuO — MVFCNEWS (@MVFCNEWS) November 28, 2015
Off they go…#MVCvADL pic.twitter.com/SMNs0JTMx2
— Outside90 (@Outside90) November 28, 2015
‘198 BANS, 0 APPEALS’ North Terrace turn back on pitch from opening whistle. #MVCvADL pic.twitter.com/1680ueIXcZ — Outside90 (@Outside90) November 28, 2015
Police lined up inside North Terrace. #mvfc #MVCvADL #aleague pic.twitter.com/mXoLfj1iuS
— MVFCNEWS (@MVFCNEWS) November 28, 2015
Wow. Riot gear. #MVCvADL pic.twitter.com/UAjnG6yHVf — Outside90 (@Outside90) November 28, 2015
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