A-League crisis: fans heading back to terraces this weekend satisfied with FFA agreement

BOYCOTTING fans have confirmed they will return to A-League venues this weekend, but vowed to hold Football Federation Australia “accountable”.

BOYCOTTING fans have confirmed they will return to A-League venues this weekend, but vowed to hold Football Federation Australia “accountable”.

The 10 active fan groups released a joint statement on Thursday morning revealing that their fortnight-long boycott had been lifted after they were satisfied with the in-principle agreement made with the governing body.

The changes were tabled at Wednesday night’s marathon and at times tense four-hour meeting at a secret location in Sydney with FFA, led by chief executive David Gallop, pledging a more transparent approach to banning fans.

While ensuring Pirtek Stadium will be rocking on Saturday night when Western Sydney hosts Melbourne Victory, the fans vowed that they would again boycott if FFA does not deliver on its promises.

“The North Terrace can confirm that as a result of that meeting, the FFA has agreed to implement satisfactory systems by no later than 19th February 2016, to coincide with the announcement of the Whole of Football Plan,’’ Victory’s supporters’ group North Terrace said via a statement.

“The minimum requirements of those systems have been agreed to, with the finer details to be finalised shortly. There has also been an unequivocal commitment by the FFA to defend football and it’s fans.

“The FFA have also committed to providing active supporter groups with details of arrangements it has with third party security service providers.

“It is on this basis, and provided of course, that the FFA formally implements these systems, that the North Terrace has agreed to TEMPORARILY SUSPEND fan boycotts.

“Make no mistake, in the event that the FFA fails in meeting these commitments by the 19th February 2016, the North Terrace will take all necessary steps to hold it accountable.

“For now, we will return to the terrace this weekend and do what we do best. Support our team unconditionally.’’

The fans agreed not to speak after Wednesday night’s meeting, waiting to hear Gallop’s public statements before confirming the lifting of the boycott.

Gallop and head of A-League Damien De Bohun led negotiations from FFA’s viewpoint.

Gallop emerged from the talks to hold a press conference just before midnight after a five-hour meeting earlier in the day with club owners, and pledged to make two significant changes to the banning process.

Melbourne Victory fans will be back this weekend for the trip to face Western Sydney.

The first was to replace instant bans with an ‘intention to ban notice’, plus the addition of subsequent appeals process via an independent panel replacing the current system of blanket bans.

“We’d love to see them back. I’m hopeful they will be there,’’ Gallop said.

“I’m pleased to say we reached an in principle agreement of two changes to the banning process. It needs to be documented, they still allow for the safe atmosphere that we’re seeking.

“It was productive, there’s some strong feelings and we’ve listened to that, made some changes to the process but maintained the integrity of it.’’

NORTH TERRACE (VICTORY’S SUPPORTERS GROUP) FULL STATEMENT

The North Terrace confirms that the proposed meeting between the FFA and representatives from each active supporter group took place last night.

The purpose of this meeting was to negotiate the implementation of a fair and equitable system which provides fans with;

a) Access to all evidence on which the FFA intends to rely on in any ban process; and

b) Access to an appeals process independent of the FFA

The North Terrace can confirm that as a result of that meeting, the FFA has agreed to implement satisfactory systems by no later than 19th February 2016, to coincide with the announcement of the Whole of Football Plan.

The minimum requirements of those systems have been agreed to, with the finer details to be finalised shortly. There has also been an unequivocal commitment by the FFA to defend football and its fans.

The FFA have also committed to providing active supporter groups with details of arrangements it has with third party security service providers.

It is on this basis, and provided of course, that the FFA formally implements these systems, that the North Terrace has agreed to TEMPORARILY SUSPEND fan boycotts.

Make no mistake, in the event that the FFA fails in meeting these commitments by the 19th February 2016, the North Terrace will take all necessary steps to hold it accountable.

For now, we will return to the terrace this weekend and do what we do best. Support our team unconditionally.

NT’05 - OUR WAY

Originally published as A-League crisis: fans heading back to terraces this weekend satisfied with FFA agreement