Former Melbourne Victory chair Geoff Lord says flares ‘add to the game’

Despite them being illegal, football figures say flares have a place at matches while calling out a police “overreaction” at the A-League Men’s Grand Final.

An ex-Melbourne Victory boss has joined a Socceroo and a chorus of fans calling for flares to be allowed at football matches, claiming the “vilification” of passionate support is keeping the game from reaching its potential.

Despite it being illegal to light them without reasonable excuse in Victoria, football figures have come out in defence of flares which they say have a place at A-Leagues matches, bringing “excitement” to the stands akin to Europe and South America.

Melbourne Victory inaugural chair and Belgravia Group chief executive Geoff Lord said he supported flares being used to ignite passion among football fans.

“My position is that I think flares add to the game,” he said.

“I think the problem is the danger and therefore I’ve always suggested that flares should have their own area where they can be lit and set off where it is not a safety issue for people.

“There were flares (at the Grand Final) but I thought they were moderate and I thought they added to the environment.”

Victory fans let off flares in the stands during the A-League Men Grand Final match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

A flare being lit by Victory fans in the stands at AAMI Park Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Melbourne Victory founder and former chair Geoff Lord said flares add to the game’s exciting atmosphere.

His comments follow Socceroo Milos Degenek’s – whose former club Red Star Belgrade’s fans “Delije” are among Europe’s most notorious supporter groups – who said flares helped deliver an atmosphere unique to football.

“For us as footballers it’s a lot better when you see flares in the stadium, when you see fans screaming, chanting, flares going off because that kind of gets the adrenaline going and motivates you even more,” he said.

Socceroo Milos Degenek slammed the police presence in the lead up to the A-League Men’s Melbourne Derby Grand Final Picture: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

Degenek was also among those who criticised the heavy police presence in the lead up to the Melbourne derby Grand Final.

“We’re not going to a war, we’re going to a football game,” he said.

It comes as Melbourne Victory slammed Victoria Police for “creating fear” rather than keeping people safe along Swan St as fans gathered to march towards the stadium.

“While we would never accept anti-social behaviour, the disproportionate deployment only served to justify a narrative about football fans in this country, one that allows a handful of people that do the wrong thing to overshadow the celebration, enjoyment and good behaviour of the vast majority,” the club said on Wednesday.

Victoria Police said officers had flares thrown at them, with one man arrested and interviewed for allegedly assaulting an officer.

Police hold back Victory supporters lighting flares before the game. Picture: David Caird

At the time police said they were “disappointed” by the behaviour of some fans.

Victory fan Stan Petrou – who attended the Grand Final – said the police response was an “overreaction” that would not be seen at other sports.

“My mate said something at the time along the lines of there were more cops on Swan St than in the Ukraine,” he said.

“People can march streets and rip flares but they’re not there to hurt anyone.

“The stigma that soccer fans are all criminals is holding the game back, but I don’t think that’s ever going to change because AFL and cricket have a stronghold on the sporting culture.”

Likewise Christopher Kopec, who has been a Victory member for nearly 20 years, said he could see both the appeal and the caution around flares.

“I love the excitement of it, it’s just something that is raw and real,” he said.

“Though I also clearly understand the danger of it and why the authorities who do not want it or will never accept it in Australia.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said “possessing or lighting a flare without a reasonable excuse is illegal.”

“Distress signals contain a small explosive charge and burn at high temperatures,” she said.

“They can cause serious harm if used incorrectly, particularly in large crowds.”

Originally published as Former Melbourne Victory chair Geoff Lord says flares ‘add to the game’