Tom Koutsantonis whacks decision to ban Melbourne Victory fans from Coopers Stadium

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis has labelled the ultimately aborted decision to ban Melbourne Victory fans from Coopers Stadium as “stupid”.

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis has labelled as “stupid” a decision to ban Melbourne Victory fans from Coopers Stadium, that venue management made on Thursday and then swiftly reversed.

“I thought it was a stupid decision,’’ Mr Koutsantonis said on Friday.

“Every code whether its Australian rules football, rugby league or real football, you are going to get some people who behave badly,’’ he said.

“You don’t ban entire cohorts of fans and say everyone who barracks for that team is all lumped in.

“My response was the same as every other minister and every other football fan and everybody else watching this. Shocked that it happened,’’

On Thursday, Melbourne Victory fans faced being banned from Coopers Stadium after a confusing day in which an announcement declaring they would not be sold tickets for next year’s match against Adelaide United was quickly taken down from the venue’s website.

The original statement was full of incendiary language attacking fans of both clubs, with Adelaide Venue Management, which operates Coopers Stadium, chief executive Anthony Kirchner saying a match in November 2022 “was plagued with the usual violent and riotous behaviour that has become synonymous with this fixture’

In that statement, Mr Kirchner said that “sadly, the APL (which runs the A-League's Men competition) did not respond and has ignored our concerns. Consequently, Stadium Management has been left with no choice but to continue to prohibit Melbourne Victory supporters from Coopers Stadium in the interest of public safety until further notice’’.

Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory at Coopers Stadium. A Victory fan is escorted from the field. Picture: File

But the statement quickly disappeared and a new one issued that did not include Mr Kirchner’s name.

“Please note, the recent post regarding the Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory March 2024 match has been removed,’’ said the statement, which was attributed to a Coopers Stadium spokesperson.

“In the spirit of goodwill, we will continue to work collaboratively with all appropriate parties to resolve the matter and achieve a satisfactory outcome for all,’’ the spokesperson continued. The spokesperson also said “positive discussions’’ were now underway.

The APL, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory declined to comment further but it is believed all parties were blindsided by the original statement and were furious both by the lack of warning and the language used in the original version.

In the original statement, Mr Kirchner said AVM had met with SAPOL, Adelaide United and A-League owners APL to find ways to improve safety for staff and spectators at the games in addition to “the already far-reaching risk management strategies implemented and the deployment of extraordinary additional venue security and police resources’’ at Coopers.

The original statement banning Victory supporters.

The page has now been removed.

“There is a need for the APL to work with stadium managers and clubs to better protect football fans and those working at high risk matches before something very serious occurs.’’

Victory is not scheduled to visit Hindmarsh until March.

SA Police noted “that previous incidents have occurred both in and around Hindmarsh Stadium before, during and after games’’.

Mr Kirchner had said tickets would only be sold to Adelaide United members and ticket holders with a South Australian postcode and even floated the possibility of the game being moved to Adelaide Oval.

@the.tiser Melbourne Victory supporters will NOT be permitted to purchase tickets to the A-League’s Adelaide United vs Melbourne Victory match until further notice in light of its ongoing safety concerns. Only valid Adelaide United members and ticket holders with a South Australian postcode will be permitted entry. #aleagues#soccer#adelaideunited#straya#football♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs - Skittlegirl Sound

No Victory supporters were able to attend the last Hindmarsh clash in January this year because Melbourne had been subject to a league-wide ban after its supporters invaded the playing arena in a game against Melbourne City and assaulted the opposing team’s goalkeeper Tom Glover.

Mr Kirchner said Adelaide fans had also been responsible for violence.

“It is important to acknowledge that Melbourne Victory supporters are not solely responsible for the violent behaviour and safety issues at these matches. Many Adelaide United ‘casuals’ attend this fixture each season with the core purpose of engaging in high-risk behaviour and provoking Melbourne Victory supporters, police and security,’’ he said.

Originally published as Tom Koutsantonis whacks decision to ban Melbourne Victory fans from Coopers Stadium