FFA hit Melbourne Victory with show cause notice in wake of rogue fans letting off flares

UPDATE: MELBOURNE Victory’s boss says the rogue fans who left the A-League champion facing potential sanction from Football Federation Australia aren’t welcome at future matches.

Launch of Victory League season. (L-R) CEO Melbourne Victory, Ian Robertson, CEO Football Federation Australia, David Gallop, CEO Football Federation Tasmania, Richard Welsh.

MELBOURNE Victory’s boss is astounded by the actions of some ‘mindless’ football fans which has left the A-League champion facing potential sanction from Football Federation Australia.

Victory has vowed to work with match day stakeholders to gather all information before submitting its response to an FFA please explain after rogue fans lit flares and harassed a television news crew on Saturday night.

Those people could cost Victory a heavy fine and potentially the loss of competition points.

In an exact replica of the situation that faced Western Sydney last week, Victory now has until 5pm (EDT) on Wednesday to “show cause why they should not face sanction for bringing the game into disrepute through the conduct of its supporters” under the FFA’s Code of Conduct.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Victory chief executive Ian Robson said the disappointing fan behaviour had overshadowed what had been a superb derby against crosstown rival Melbourne City.

“We are astounded that some mindless individuals, particularly given the focus of the matter throughout the week, decided to act in an anti-social manner in and around the game on Saturday night,” Robson said.

“The people involving themselves in this behaviour are not fans of our club or the game. They are not welcome and we do not want them involved.

“We will also be reviewing all facets of our match day operations to heighten our vigilance in eradicating this behaviour.”

Victory fans let off flares during the Melbourne derby.

Saturday night’s actions came after a number of detonators and flares were set off during Western Sydney Wanderers’ clash with Victory nine days ago. Western Sydney was last week slapped with a $50,000 fine and a suspended three-point sentence.

The shoe is now on the other foot and Victory is likely to receive similar sanctions after at least one flare was let off during Saturday night’s Melbourne derby and several others were ripped by fans on a march to the ground before the game.

A television reporter and cameraman were also confronted on that same march — ironically after the crew intended to film a positive piece on the fan group’s movements.

FFA issued the show cause notice after “receiving all relevant incident and match reports from Victoria Police, AAMI Park management and FFA’s security advisers, outlining incidents that took place” both before and during the match.

Victory fans responsible for Saturday’s actions also face bans.

FFA boss David Gallop, in a statement, slammed the rogues.

“FFA has today issued Melbourne Victory with a show cause notice after receiving detailed information from Victoria Police and others that identifies some Melbourne Victory supporters as taking part in actions that have cast a shadow on football,” Gallop said.

“The timing of these incidents has shocked many people given the acute focus on these issues. No one could have missed the fact that FFA, our clubs, players and coaches have been explicitly clear in our condemnation of actions over the last week around the ignition of flares. We must continue to hold the safety and enjoyment of true football fans at the heart of our decisions.

“The reaction of a section of Melbourne Victory fans, players and coaches on Saturday night has again sent a clear message that this minority is not welcome.”

Victory coach Kevin Muscat also lashed the behaviour of some of the fans post-match on Saturday, saying flares at A-League matches were unacceptable.

“In light of what we have seen in the last week, those individuals shouldn’t come to our games any more. It’s as simple as that,” Muscat said.

“I sensed the reaction more so from the rest of the crowd that they were fed up with individuals with their mindless acts.

“It’s about time we grow up.”