AFL fans association calls for mandatory bans for footy thugs
The AFL fans association has joined a chorus of frustrated footy fans fed up with violent incidents at matches, saying life bans shouldn’t be ruled out as punishment for unruly punters.
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Calls for mandatory bans for violent footy fans have intensified after an off-field clash at the MCG at the weekend.
Bans of at least 10 years, up to life, are in the sights of AFL fans association president Gerry Eeman who was alarmed to see yet another violent clash between football attendees.
“It feels like a weekly thing at the moment,” he told the Herald Sun.
“What we would like to see is a minimum ban of 10, 20 or life ban depending on the severity of the incident.
“It needs to be a really strong message that’s sent out.”
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The level of security and policing at the match was brought into question after the incident at the Collingwood and Carlton match, with fans claiming security took too long to respond.
Long-term footy tragic and AFLFA president Eeman remembered violence at the footy when he was a kid but said attitudes have changed and fans needed to clean up their act, with the help of authorities.
“There’s a general societal change in what we will all tolerate,” he said.
“Our tolerance for this kind of behaviour has gone down.
“Do we need a public awareness campaign that highlights the effects of people around them
“There’s probably a role for government there.”
The Round 9 violence came after a disabled Hawthorn fan was punched following the team’s Round 7 game against Melbourne.
Police also investigated an alleged assault on Anzac Day in which a man was believed to have been punched in the back.
Footy was at the heart of Victorian culture and it should be a place for everyone to feel safe.
Saturday’s violence was not representative of that, according to Victoria Police.
“The football is a place for friends, families and the whole community to come together to enjoy the game,” a spokeswoman said.
“The incident and vision we saw from Saturday’s match was appalling.
“There is no place for this behaviour anywhere in the community let alone at a footy match. “This type of behaviour puts everyone’s safety at risk, and police will not tolerate it.”
While detectives work on the case, Victoria Police has been in talks with event security and stadium management to monitor crowd behaviour and alcohol consumption throughout the game.
“People will be held accountable for their actions,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
“Upon conviction, police will consider making an application for Exclusion Orders which can see people banned from licenced premises for two years.”
The State Government confirmed it would support Victoria Police and stadiums in stamping out violence.
“True football fans rightly condemn violence in the crowd at games and we back Victoria Police, the AFL, clubs and stadium operators in their zero-tolerance stance,” a spokesman said.
“Win, lose or draw, there is no excuse for violence.”
The MCC declined to make further comment on the issue while police investigate.