A-League coaches back fan group over police restrictions
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 17:19 · Archive
Coaches at Western Sydney and Macarthur FC have supported a silent protest by Western Sydney's Red and Black Bloc fan group against police restrictions.
The Red and Black Bloc, Western Sydney Wanderers' active supporter group, staged a silent protest in the opening 20 minutes of Saturday's goalless draw between the Wanderers and Macarthur at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. NSW Police had directed the group to surrender their drums, megaphone and banners two hours before kick-off.
Macarthur coach Sasa Ognenovski and Western Sydney coach Ufuk Talay both voiced support for the protest. Ognenovski said: 'I don't know any other sport in Australia that's policed as much.' He argued that restricting fan activities would deter supporters from attending. 'The game is about them. We want fans. We don't want them restricted,' he said, adding that active support had helped drive attendances to 60,000 at derbies when Western Sydney first joined the league.
The RBB displayed banners reading 'Stand Up For Fans. Not Police Demands' as a message to the Australian Professional Leagues. The group had previously boycotted a round-20 home match after six fans were handed banning orders following the previous week's derby.
How it is being reported
- A-League coaches hit back at police action over fansThe coaches of Western Sydney and Macarthur FC have thrown their weight behind the Red and Black Bloc after the A-League Men fan group staged a silent protest.Perth Now · 31 Oct, 16:34
- A-League coaches hit back at police action over fansThe coaches of Western Sydney and Macarthur FC have thrown their weight behind the Red and Black Bloc after the A-League Men fan group staged a silent protest.The West Australian · 31 Oct, 16:33
In this story: Red and Black Bloc · Western Sydney Wanderers · Macarthur FC · Sasa Ognenovski · Ufuk Talay · NSW Police · Campbelltown Sports Stadium · Australia
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log
Comments (0)