AFL chief Gillon McLachlan says sorry to footy fans uncomfortable with security presence

Gillon McLachlan has promised to listen to fans as the AFL tries to strike a balance that ensures fans feel safe and free from league intimidation.

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Use of behavioural awareness officers to monitor fans at AFL-owned Marvel Stadium will be reviewed in the wake of league boss Gillon McLachlan’s apology to supporters.

McLachlan says the league is listening to fans and will “get the balance right” to ensure supporters feel safe and free from intimidation.

Marvel Stadium chiefs will meet tomorrow to discuss the future of the contentious security staff, who could be removed from the stadium as soon as this weekend.

In a press conference at AFL headquarters today, McLachlan addressed a fan backlash and repeated his stance that decisions on extra security measures were made by venues, not the AFL.

But asked about behavioural supervisors who patrolled the stands last weekend, he said: “My personal view is they’re not right and they should go.”

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McLachlan repeated the apology he made in today’s Herald Sun to fans who have felt intimidated by security guards at matches.

McLachlan met with Marvel Stadium chief Michael Green on Monday to discuss what measures would be adjusted to calm irate fans.

“We want our fans to come to the footy and be themselves,” he said.

“No one at the AFL is trying to stop our fans being passionate.

“We must also keep our game safe and family friendly. We have been the family game, the passionate game.

“We’ve all got to work together on this. Police, security and the AFL to make sure the balance is right.

“We have to listen to our supporters. That is our responsibility.”

AFL chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan speaks to the media.

McLachlan said he had spoken to Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett about his comments that many of the security guards were “new arrivals” with a poor knowledge of AFL.

“I think Jeff is wrong,” McLachlan said, adding his comments amounted to “racially stereotyping”.

“I think people need to be judged on their performance in their roles. I’ve spoken to Jeff today. I know Jeff regrets his comments and the offence that has caused. This is unacceptable ... It is unacceptable to be making comments that don’t reflect someone’s ability but refer to their background.”

This morning I spoke to Gill McLachlan about my comments yesterday 're a Behavioural Awareness Officer at Marvel Stadium at Friday night's game. I expressed my regret at using some of the words I did and apologise for doing so.

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) June 18, 2019

In an exclusive interview last night with the Herald Sun, Mr McLachlan said: “It hurts me that our fans are feeling intimidated at our games.

“I’m sorry they are feeling intimidated. If people are feeling threatened we obviously will listen ... I’m appalled.

“It hurts me to hear our administration is not looking after the fans.’’

AFL Fans’ Association president Gerry Eeman said supporters felt “watched’’ by the contentious stadium staff.

“It is a weird look and from what I understand they are just security guards with extra training,’’ he said.

“They at least need to stop wearing uniforms that say behavioural awareness officers, which is just strange and off-putting.’’

Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon has backed the increased security presence at matches.

“You’re not entitled to do whatever you want, say whatever you want, because you have paid your money,” Gordon said on SEN today.

“We do expect a higher standard. We expect higher standards from our players, from our officials, and we have got to tackle the elephant in the room, which is the crowds.

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“My concern, frankly, about the AFL, is the AFL have such a customer focus, such a focus of the customer is always right, that they may not be prepared to actually see this matter through.

“But for the good of the competition we have to. You have to take a stand.

“You have to believe in something and then you have to stand for it. If we want the crowd, that sort of negative crowd behaviour to be disrupted, to be different, if we want it to be a safer place for families to take their kids and not be intimidated and not be scared, then we have to stand up at moments like this and not just enable those who have been whinging about one more walk down the aisle.”

Gordon said he did not understand why McLachlan needed to apologise.

“I don’t know what Gillon McLachlan is about to apologise for,” he said.

“I was sitting in Bay 9 myself on Saturday night, three rows up from where this alleged incident occurred.

“I saw these extra security.

“The idea of having enhances security is something I think most people would support. I am curious to see what he is about to apologise for.

“I hope it’s not something that enables and emboldens the very element of the crowds that we are trying to change.”

There was a noticeable increase in security at weekend matches. Pic: Getty Images

It comes as Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said club bosses had been kept in the dark on the deployment of Behavioural Awareness Officers, who he dubbed the “new thought police’’.

Mr Green conceded at the weekend that security measures, including the number of times security staff patrol aisles, would be reassessed.

Footy fans were cleared to cheer loudly and support their team at the Docklands stadium this weekend.

Mr Kennett said that club powerbrokers had been blindsided by the appearance of the AFL- endorsed officers in the stands.

“I had no idea nor had I been told of this new thought police or vocal police that they’ve put into place,’’ he said.

“We had a meeting with presidents of the AFL only a couple of weeks ago — no mention of it.

“For god’s sake — it’s either a game of football or everybody is going to have to sit there like a bloody turnip and say nothing, in which case people won’t go to the football.’’

Mr Green told the Herald Sun the officers had not been told to look out for umpire abuse or fans cheering too loudly.

“There is no specific direction to these guys except do what they are trained to do and that is identify suspicious behaviour,’’ he said.

Mr Kennett said fans should be “able to go and yell, shout, scream, boo’’ when the officers patrol St Kilda’s clash with Brisbane on Saturday and Sunday’s Western Bulldogs-Collingwood showdown.

“Don’t tell me the AFL is going to tell me how I’m going to behave,’’ he said.

Security and "Behavioural Awareness Officers" patrol the crowd at the Carlton-Bulldogs clash at Marvel Stadium Picture: Channel 7

“I know it’s wrong to hit someone, I know it’s wrong to racially abuse but for goodness sake, am I not going to be able to boo?”

The company responsible for the Behavioural Awareness Officers concept, AIG Security, did not return calls.

Collingwood cheer squad identity Jeff “Joffa” Corfe said the AFL should “just let us be who we are — the football supporter”.

“Let us for God’s sake own the terraces with hearts on sleeves along with euphoric passion,” he said.

Mr Green said most Marvel Stadium ejections were for foul language, vilification threats or violence.

“Nobody has been kicked out because they have been supporting their team too greatly,’’ he said.