Marvel Stadium boss admits it went too far with security

Marvel Stadium chief Michael Green has admitted it may have unwittingly intimidated fans with overzealous security staff, while footy greats called on the AFL to ease up on supporters.

Security removes a member from the crowd on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images

Footy greats have called on the AFL to ease off fans as tensions rise over increased spectator surveillance and security in the stands.

Hawthorn legend Dermott ­Brereton described the use of the ­“Behavioural Security Officers” at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night as “the most ridiculous principle the AFL has instituted in years’’.

“It really angered me to see that,’’ he said. “How ridiculous to infringe on people’s basic human rights to go along and enjoy their lifestyle, the way they have for over 100 years.’’ The AFL did not respond to questions about crowd behaviour.

Former North Melbourne star Sam Kekovich said fans deserved better.

“It’s the people’s game and they’ve been disenfranchised, they’ve almost become a political football,’’ he said.

“I don’t know what the AFL’s ­agenda is, but they’ve basically ­become social reformers and they ­almost want to be a political party in their own right.’’

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said the AFL “runs the risk of destroying a lifetime and history of what football means to the community’’.

“If the AFL are now trying to control the enjoyment that people get from the game, if the AFL want to try to control booing or standing up or yelling out loudly, they will very quickly continue to destroy the game as we have known it,’’ he said.

Carlton fans being escorted out by security from Marvel Stadium. Picture: Channel 7

“Obviously no one supports violence or condones bad behaviour or physical abuse, but that doesn’t mean the AFL should try to stop people venting their pleasure or disagreeing with an umpire or opposition player.’’

Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron said he could understand the response to the fights, which he said “were not a good look”. But he added: “I think … whoever’s in charge of Marvel Stadium said there was no more people in terms of security in the ground, but what they probably did is overdid it and policed too hard.”

Marvel Stadium chief executive Michael Green admitted they may have unwittingly intimidated fans.

“We don’t want our fans to feel intimidated by security,’’ he said on 3AW.

“We actually want them to feel safe and secure, so it’s something that we will be reviewing to make sure that we get that balance right.

“Clearly, from (the feedback) we’ve taken that too far.’’

Mr Green said the venue would review its security arrangements in response to complaints from fans, but Behavioural Awareness Officers would be used for the rest of the season.

They would also be used at Big Bash cricket and A-League soccer games, the upcoming Australia-Team USA basketball series and concerts such as Metallica and U2 tours this year.

“This is an initiative we will roll out at all events,’’ he said.

Brereton said he “couldn’t stand the sight’’ of the officers “telling you how to behave as an adult in a crowd’’ during the Carlton-Western Bulldogs clash. And he said AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan’s denial last week that there was any security clampdown on fans now looked “ridiculous’’.

A security guard speaking to a member of the Hawthorn cheer squad. Picture: Channel 7

“I think he’s a tremendous guy, Gill, but he’s going to have to do a bit of damage control,’’ he said.

“Because he’s insulting people if he’s turning out at the gate to tell them how to behave.’’

AFL Fan’s Association president Gerry Eeman said supporters “were feeling watched’’ and the Behavioural Awareness Officers were “a really weird look”.

“For some fans there is a sense that there is a Big Brother around these days,’’ he said. “We did want more security to crack down on violence, but that’s what they should be doing — cracking down on violent or abusive behaviour. But we don’t want to see overkill and an over-reaction to that.’’

Mr Green said the Behavioural Awareness Officers had been “specifically trained to identify suspicious behaviour”.

“Their purpose is basically to interject into any situation before it escalates — it could be violence, it could be racial,’’ he said.

He confirmed the AFL had approved their redeployment from other security roles at the stadium.

“We basically advised them (the AFL) that this was the process we were going to implement and they were supportive,’’ he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews said AFL matches were “very passionate” and that the AFL, police and security officials had a difficult task to manage that and maintain a family-friendly atmosphere.

He said he was confident they would “strike the right balance” and that common sense from fans was needed as well.

“If you behave badly, you are going to be out,” he said.

Mr Andrews said he hoped fans would be reassured and not intimidated by security guards at football matches.

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Fans have this season been banned from matches for insulting umpires and told to tone down their support by security staff at matches in Melbourne.

Police try to separate a fight in the crowd during the Carlton-Bulldogs game on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images

Richmond cheer squad member Brett Beattie said some Tigers fans had been considering silent protests.

He said Marvel Stadium’s confirmation it had been more assertive with security proved the league was lying when it said there was no crackdown on fans.

“Just own it and say we have gone too far … I would love the AFL to come out and admit something went wrong,’’ Mr Beattie said.

Hawthorn player Isaac Smith said there was a “fine line” between stamping out bad fan behaviour and over-monitoring. “As the players, we don’t want the atmosphere out of the game because that’s the thing, when you run out in front of a big crowd you want it to be loud,” he said on Seven yesterday.

HISTORY OF FANS BEHAVING BADLY

FOOTY CROWD  FIGHTS 2019 

■ March 21 MCG Carlton v Richmond

Up to six men involved in a ferocious brawl in the AFL members’ section.

■ April 25 MCG Essendon v Collingwood

Police investigate alleged assault after a supporter is punched in the back.

■ May 4 MCG Melbourne v Hawthorn

A disabled fan is punched in the head after allegedly being called a “spastic”.

■ May 11 MCG Carlton v Collingwood

A number of incidents are reviewed by MCC security staff and police.

■ June 15 Marvel Stadium Carlton v Western Bulldogs

Beer is poured onto fans from the level above and fans clash post-game.

FOOTY CROWD FIGHTS 2018 

■ May 19 Marvel Stadium Collingwood v St Kilda

Up to 10 fans involved in a brawl during the first half.

■ May 25 Marvel Stadium Collingwood v Bulldogs

Three fans injured during a brawl involving at least nine people with one man receiving a life ban from the venue.

■ May 26 GMHBA Stadium Geelong v Carlton

Children are left screaming and crying after witnessing a man being glassed in the face.

■ July 21 GMHBA Stadium Geelong v Melbourne

More than 10 fans involved in a brawl in the stands post-game.

■ August 24 Adelaide Oval Essendon v Port Adelaide

Supporters brawl in the stands, watched by children and families.

■ September 6 Wellington Parade Richmond v Hawthorn

Two fans bashed and stomped on by three men.

OTHER FAN INCIDENTS 

■ Round 13 2019

Despite the AFL denying a clampdown on crowd behaviour, Behaviour Awareness Officers are spotted at Marvel Stadium. A number of fans are evicted for allegedly cheering too loudly while other fans say they feel they couldn’t support their team as they normally would.

■ Round 12 2019

A fan calls umpire Matthew Nicholls a “bald-headed flog” at halftime of the Carlton-Brisbane game at Marvel Stadium.

■ Round 6 2019

Essendon fans boo Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury after winning the Anzac Day Medal and continue to boo throughout the post-game ceremony.

■ Round 1 2019

Eagles forward Liam Ryan is racially vilified on social media. The person responsible has his Richmond membership cancelled by the club.

■ Round 1 2019

Fans shower Fox Footy hosts with beer after the Collingwood v Geelong game at the MCG.

■ Round 12 2018

Eddie Betts calls out a fan for a social media comment that labels him a “monkey”.

■ Round 9 2018

An Adelaide fan is banned for the season after reaching over the fence to make contact with Western Bulldogs captain Easton Wood.

■ Round 6 2018

An Essendon fan issues an apology to Melbourne’s Max Gawn after leaning over the fence to get in Gawn’s face and hurl abuse. The supporter is issued with a first and final warning by Essendon.

■ AFLW Round 7

Tayla Harris is the subject of online trolls after a picture of her kicking is posted on social media.

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