Police work with Western Sydney Wanderers fans to revive passion
A top NSW cop has admitted police have got it wrong in the past but promised to help the Wanderers’ controversial Red and Black Bloc supporters group revive passion in football.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Don't miss out on the headlines from Western Sydney Wanderers. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ONE of the most senior policemen in NSW has promised to help the Wanderers’ controversial Red and Black Bloc supporters group bring the passion back to Parramatta.
Insisting his officers have no intention of being “the fun police”, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones — an avowed fan of the game — acknowledged that football crowds are unique in the Australian sporting landscape and need policing accordingly.
Stream every game of the A-League season LIVE & Anytime on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Jones’s position as Commander of the North West Metropolitan Region gives him ultimate oversight of Bankwest Stadium, and he promised to train a team of superintendents to manage games at the stadium in sympathy with the code and its supporters, having initiated talks with the RBB more than two months ago.
After years of simmering tensions between police and the A-League’s active supporter groups, Jones said he wanted the police presence at Bankwest to be as discreet as possible — with trained supporter marshals given licence to manage the RBB’s behaviour in the first instance.
His comments mark the first attempt to engage with A-League fans at such a senior level, and Jones — who plays the game every weekend — said his engagement with the RBB had surprised him.
“A big part of it was looking them in the eye, shaking their hand — that was really worthwhile,” Jones said. “I told them, we’re not the fun police.
“For two hours we talked about what a win would look like, what they really wanted to achieve this year.
“I was surprised how well it went, and they’re actually pretty fair guys. They do appreciate there are certain key factors we have to ensure — no racism, no bullying, no flares.
“They now appreciate more that we do get football. In the past there was possibly some communication where they got the impression that police were anti-football and didn't really understand the game.
“I think now they believe we do understand it, and the value that the RBB brings to the Wanderers games. They bring a spectacular atmosphere which is absolutely beneficial.”
Jones emphasised that police numbers can be affected by external factors, such as terror alerts, as well as fans’ behaviour, and that officers still have a role in maintaining player and referee safety — referencing the incident involving Will Chambers at Manly in the NRL on Saturday night.
“But we’re very big on the supporter marshals and see a big role for them,” he said. “We’re working through an escalation process where their own supporter marshals can to a large degree work with the stadium, work with police and work with security to manage themselves.
“If it’s all managed well, there's no role for the police other than our normal role of providing advice and support for the public.
MORE NEWS
Paine slaps down Jofra’s jabber
Coniglio’s shock push for finals
“The RBB still want to do their (pre-match) march and we’re working with them to find an appropriate establishment where they can go and have a few drinks before the game, and we can get them to and from the game in a responsible manner — we’re all for that.
“Football is very different to rugby league or union or AFL. The actual game is very different and the spectator involvement is very different.
“You don't have the same interaction with the game in rugby league — there's not the singing and dancing, there's no supporter groups.
“Football is quite unique, and it took a while for us as police to adapt and understand. It helps to have people who play the game and are supporters of the game.”
Originally published as Police work with Western Sydney Wanderers fans to revive passion
Spanish star ‘hungry’ for A-League stint
Western Sydney Wanderers’ prized recruit has arrived in Australia ready to star in the A-League.
Wanderers land World Cup winner in massive signing coup
The Western Sydney Wanderers have pulled off one of the biggest signings in A-League's history – luring a former Manchester United and Chelsea star to the club.