A-League fans continue to protest against selling of grand final to Sydney

A-League fans continue to protest the decision to sell grand finals to Sydney for the next three years.

Fans protest the decision to sell the A-League grand final to Sydney. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Fan protests against the decision to sell the A-League grand final continued on Saturday, with Central Coast’s active supporters group walking out after just 20 minutes of the Mariners’ 2-1 win over Sydney FC.

With their team trailing 1-0, the “Yellow Army” exited Central Coast Stadium with 25 minutes of the first half remaining.

Similar scenes occurred in Newcastle on Friday night, when the Jets’ active supporters group, “Terrace Novacastria” left McDonald Jones Stadium 20 minutes into their team’s 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar.

Mariners supporters also called for the sacking of Australian Professional Leagues chief executive Danny Townsend with a banner saying “TOWN$END OUT”.

Mariners fans call for the sacking of APL chief executive officer Danny Townsend. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Townsend negotiated the deal with the NSW government to sell A-League men’s and women’s grand finals, and E-League deciders, to Sydney for the next three years for a fee understood to be around $20 million.

Sydney FC’s active supporters group., “The Cove”, protested against the decision by refusing to attend the match in Gosford.

Despite trailing 1-0 early after Paulo Retre gave Sydney an 11th minute lead, the Mariners fought back to lead 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Brazilian attacker Marco Tulio and defender Dan Hall.

Tulio netted the Mariners’ equaliser – his first A-League goal – in the 36th minute when he headed home a cross from Socceroos’ teenage sensation Garang Kuol, who was starting an A-League game for the first time.

It was a good reward for Tulio, who was unlucky to have hit the post in the ninth minute.

The hosts went ahead in the 39th minute when Hall scored from close range after Sydney FC’s Socceroos goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne was sloppy in his attempt to grab a corner.

Sydney skipper Luke Brattan., who hit the crossbar with a stinging strike in the opening 10 minutes, had a chance to equalise late in the contest but his shot was saved by Mariners gloveman Danny Vukovic.

Tempers flared in stoppage time after Sydney defender Rhyan Grant and Mariners substitute Harrison Steele clashed.

A melee ensued, with players from both sides rushing in to get involved.

However, the anger soon subsided, with Steele and Sydney centre-back James Donachie both shown yellow cards.

The Mariners’ win ended a two-match losing run, much to the relief of Central Coast midfielder Josh Nisbet.

“We knew that we needed to get a win today – it’s about getting momentum,” Nisbet told Paramount +.

“We’ve still got a long way (to go).”

For Sydney, it was third defeat in four matches, and a bitter pill to swallow after last weekend’s 2-1 win over competition heavyweights Melbourne City.

Sky Blues midfielder Anthony Caceres said: “We’re very disappointed ... to have thrown away a comfortable lead.

“It’s a bit frustrating. We beat the league leaders last week, and we started off really well (against the Mariners) but we let ourselves down.”