Drunken violence at the footy: AFL must do more

BOOZE-FREE bays aren’t the answer, nor are total booze bans. This is what the AFL must do to stop drunken idiots ruining the football for families and frightening the children.

THE AFL must do more to crack down on football violence and booze- fuelled brawling.

It must take a strong stand against those who get into violent fights, prosecuting them and banning them for life.

But if the AFL is really committed to ensuring footy is a family-friendly game, it also needs to look more closely at what’s going on in the stands week after week.

FOOTY GREATS REACT TO FOOTY VIOLENCE

FOOTY FANS INJURED IN BLOODY BRAWL

ST KILDA AND COLLINGWOOD FANS FIGHT

Clearly, current responsible service of alcohol guidelines are a joke.

Too often I’ve taken my kids to the footy to find we’re seated next to a group of drunken idiots who spend the game shouting abuse at the umpires and screaming obscenities at the opposition.

A brawl breaks out at Etihad Stadium.

Scenes like this at the footy are unacceptable, writes Susie O’Brien.

People should be able to come to the footy and sit and watch the game in peace without dealing with liquored-up louts.

They find it easy to get around the myriad of rules in place, either getting mates to buy their drinks, smuggling in harder booze or turning up already drunk.

It can be quite intimidating to approach them and ask them to tone it down – there’s always a chance they’ll turn on you.

It’s also scary for the kids.

More booze-free bays aren’t the answer and nor are total booze bans.

I should be able to have a beer at the footy on a Saturday night if I am not driving to the game.

Why should my right to drink responsibly be curbed just because some morons can’t control themselves?

This is why any new harder line must not punish those doing the right thing.

The rest of us should be able to turn up and have a beer or two if we feel like it.

The AFL should also reassess its reliance on alcohol advertising, which sends young people dangerous mixed messages.

Carlton Draught is a major AFL sponsor, along with Jim Beam and Wolf Blass.

The league also needs to crack down harder on players who are involved in alcohol-fuelled violence or misbehaviour off the field.

If you keep the idiots under control there should be no need for more restrictive rules for everyone else.

The AFL and stadium managers need to do a better job at curbing the excesses of the minority who behave badly and let the rest of us get on with enjoying the footy.

READ MORE SUSIE O’BRIEN

READ MORE OPINION