Football Australia boss James Johnson has promised to not “cripple” Melbourne Victory in sanctions to be imposed on the A-League following the pitch invasion and assault of a participant, referee and cameraman within the Melbourne derby.
Johnson confirmed the Victory had met its Wednesday 9am (AEDT) deadline to submit a reply to the present trigger discover that was issued to the Melbourne membership by FA.
“Swift” motion towards the Victory is the intention, however a timeframe hasn’t been placed on when sanctions shall be introduced.
Potential punishments are more likely to embrace hefty fines, docking of competitors factors and taking part in dwelling matches in empty stadiums.
“We needed to give Melbourne Victory natural justice and an opportunity to respond to the show cause (notice) that we sent only on Monday,” FA chief govt officer Johnson informed Fox Sports.
“We’re not trying to cripple the club, and we’re not trying to damage the club either, but what we’re trying to do us have a package of sanctions, both individual sanctions and sanctions against the club.
“We want to send a message to try to deter this kind of action and behaviour happening again.
“We want to give confidence to the community that they can come out to football matches and feel safe, and we also need to hold the club accountable because of the behaviour of purported spectators of Melbourne Victory.”
FA has already banned two Victorian males – a 23-year-old from Craigieburn and a 19-year-old man from Meadow Heights – for all times from “all related football activity”, together with attending Football Australia-sanctioned soccer matches and occasions, together with all A-League, Australia Cup, National Premier League and nationwide workforce matches, and registering as a soccer participant.
“We’re expecting to receive another 10 to 15 identities of those that invaded the pitch, so we’re going to work through each of those individuals and there will be further sanctions imposed on those individuals,” Johnson stated.
“What happened on the weekend with the (pitch) invasion is just not acceptable in Australian football. We won’t tolerate it.”
In the incident on Saturday evening, which compelled the abandonment of the derby after 20 minutes, Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover, referee Alex King and a cameraman had been assaulted.
The pitch invasion was a part of a protest towards an Australian Professional Leagues determination to promote A-League grand finals to Sydney for the subsequent three years.
Johnson had no issues with the peaceable protests that befell at different A-League venues.
“We acknowledge that the league’s got to grow its economy, but we also acknowledge that the fans really need to be at the centre of big decisions (about) the game, and we’re encouraging better dialogue,” he stated.
“We’re happy to participate in a conversation, but we really want to at this stage encourage the APL and the cubs to talk to their fans.”
FA can also be considering measures that want implementing at AAMI Park on Monday when the Victory meet Western United to “ensure the safety of all fans, players, officials, and staff”.
