Ban for second fascist-salute soccer fan
A second Sydney United 58 fan caught performing “a fascist salute or similar gesture” during the Australia Cup final has been hit with a lifetime ban by Football Australia.
Sydney United 58 supporters are seen in the crowd ahead of the Australia Cup Final soccer match between Sydney United 58 and Macarthur FC at Commbank Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, October 1, 2022. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
NPL NSW Sydney United58 – a former National Soccer League powerhouse – was the first second-tier outfit to reach the knockout competition’s decider.
But their achievement was overshadowed by the anti-social behaviour of some of their supporters as they went down 2-0 to Macarthur FC last Saturday night.
It included Nazi salutes, a group of fans booing through the Welcome to Country, and the chanting of songs with fascist links.
FA banned one fan for life on Wednesday and concluded an investigation into a second fan on Friday, resulting in the same penalty.
Both fans are now banned from attending any matches sanctioned by FA, including NPL, A-Leagues, Australia Cup and national team matches.
“The ban is effective immediately,” the governing body said in a statement.
“As with the first ban issued by Football Australia on Wednesday, the conduct in question relates to a fascist salute or similar gesture conducted during the match and captured on the host broadcast.”
FA also expects to receive submissions from United on Friday in respect to a show-cause notice issued because of crowd behaviour during the Cup final.
Former Socceroos defender Tony Popovic, who made a name for himself with the club previously known as Sydney Croatia during the 1990s, was disappointed some fans had tainted his old side’s appearance in the Australia Cup final.
“It’s a shame because it was a wonderful game, a wonderful occasion,” now-Melbourne Victory coach Popovic told reporters on Friday.
“A fantastic football club had an opportunity to play in a final and hopefully next time that happens we can just talk about the great colour and passion and noise that a football club from the NPL can bring.”
There could be further penalties to come, with FA continuing to review anti-social behaviour at the Cup final with the clubs and law enforcement.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark continues to welcome FA’s action against fans taking part in these abhorrent acts.
He told J-Wire: “We look forward to further swift and heavy penalties to be enforced by Football Australia as these fans are identified.”
AAP/J-Wire
I wonder why, in all the news we’ve seen and read of this, that there’s been absolutely no reference to its origins insofar as the Jewish people are concerned? How harmful it is for any Jew to have to watch it!
No one is interested in antisemitism – in offence to First Nation’s people, yes offence to those of the Islamic faith, yes – but, the Jews? They don’t get a look in.