‘High risk’: Soccer fans banned from attending match

Opposing fans from soccer clubs with strong Albanian and Serbian backgrounds have been banned from attending their encounters in away matches this season.

Supporters of a Melbourne soccer club have been banned from watching their team play on Friday night because they have been deemed a “high risk” of clashing with the opponent’s fans.

North Sunshine, which has a large Albanian supporter base, will take on Springvale, which traditionally has strong Serbian support, at the Serbian Sports Centre in the NPL3 minus its supporters, after Football Victoria and the clubs agreed this week to a ban on the visitor’s fans.

It’s believed tensions have risen between the fan groups in the past due to historical and political issues between Serbia and Albania.

Up to 10 North Sunshine match officials will work alongside Springvale to assist in enforcing the ban on away fans by identifying any unruly supporters from trying to enter at the gate.

Victoria Police confirmed it would have officers at the match.

“Victoria Police is aware of a soccer match being held at Keysborough on Friday night,” a spokesperson said.

“As with all major public events, Victoria Police will monitor the event, routinely patrol and attend as needed.

“There will be officers at the event as part of our Neighbourhood Policing strategy.”

North Sunshine coach Ben Isai, who has been at the club for more than 20 years, said it was disappointing to see politics impacting the game.

“It’s sad that these games are classified as high risk because I understand the political side of it and all that sort of stuff but at the end of the day we are trying to play football,” Isai said.

“Having big crowds supporting their team in a passionate way, there is nothing wrong with that as long as it is contained, which in 98 per cent of cases it is.”

Isai said he was disappointed by fan behaviour from other clubs this season which was letting the competition down.

“A little bit disappointing I’ll be honest because our fans have been really good home and away,” he said.

“We have had nothing but good comments from anyone who has visited [our home ground] Larissa,”

Earlier in the season, Springvale fans received an interim suspension from attending matches as police investigated an alleged post-match brawl between Springvale and Melbourne Victory fans.

North Sunshine said that there was also an incident with Springvale between fans in a game last season.

Isai said he was surprised by the ban considering his club’s compliance with the league’s spectator code of behaviour.

“We haven’t had any punishment directed towards us so it’s a little bit surprising but I guess they have got their reasons and we just gotta get through that and hopefully the boys lift even without the fans there tonight,” he said.

Isai said it made a big difference to have big crowds featuring supporters from both clubs at games.

“We want them to be there at every game,” he said.

“It makes a big difference, it’s a big reason as to why players play, to play in front of their own supporters who cheer them on and support them throughout the whole year.

“We understand that in the past we have had incidents and we have had supporters that are no longer with us because of incidents of that nature.

“We just need everyone to be on board, make it all about football and obviously any side issues to be eradicated completely from the game.

“That’s the biggest thing we have been pushing at the club over the last four, five years and I think we have turned a corner in my opinion.”

The match will be live streamed for North Sunshine supporters to watch the game in their home clubrooms.

Football Victoria and Springvale were contacted for comment.