Calls for lifetime bans have been made over ‘rephensible’ fan behaviour

The scenes from a section of fans during the Australia Cup on Saturday night have been widely condemned with serious calls for action.

Disgusting scenes rock the Australia Cup

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies have strongly condemned the behaviour from fans during the Australia Cup on Saturday night.

Macarthur FC defeated Sydney United 58 2-0 to claim the trophy, but it was a small section of United fans that marred the contest.

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A loud chorus of boos could be hear during the Welcome to Country and also throughout the playing of the national anthems.

When the game got underway the Network 10 broadcast captured fans in attendance appearing to be doing Nazi salutes.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark condemned the display of Nazi symbols and salutes “in the strongest possible terms” in a statement provided to news.com.au.

“These vile symbols and salutes have no place in modern Australian society. They represent the ultimate manifestation of evil – an evil which led to the murder of millions of innocent civilians during WWII, including six million Jews and thousands of Australian Diggers who lost their lives fighting against the Nazis during WWII,” Bark said.

“Reprehensible conduct such as this causes immense distress to the victims of Nazi crimes and their descendants, whilst undermining our cohesive multicultural society.

“The fact that the Welcome to Country and national anthem was also booed last night underlines the contempt these people have for Australia and our Diggers.”

Mr Bark added: “The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies commends Football Australia for calling out these displays, and urges the governing body to take strong action against any fan who participated in these acts, including implementing lifetime attendance bans. Football Australia should also work with Sydney United to address the concerning views which are venerated by some of its fans.”

It was an ugly night. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

A FA spokesperson told The Age: “One of Football Australia’s core values is being inclusive and diverse.

“Our strength as a sport is our diversity. We celebrate that football is embedded in the nation’s social fabric and it follows the diverse story of Australia.

“In saying that, Football Australia acknowledges that a very small minority of attendees engaged in behaviour that is not consistent with Football Australia’s values and wider community expectations.

“Football Australia took steps during the match to address these isolated behaviours, including eight evictions. Football Australia will continue to gather information from the venue, clubs, and authorities on this matter, as anti-social behaviour has no place in our game.”

A group of fans drew widespread backlash for their behaviour. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Images of several fans with their right arm raised in an upward motion quickly began to circulate on social media with many disgusted by what they were seeing.

“Sydney United getting to the Final was meant to be a good thing. First NPL club ever to do it. Instead it exposed neo Nazis in their own supporter group. Hope the whole club is throughly investigated. These people shouldn’t be welcome in Football in this country,” presenter Jake Buckley tweeted.

It's probably virtue signalling but I turned off the Australia Cup final. I don't need to watch a final where fans are doing heil Hitler salutes and singing fascist chants. Hey @Channel10AU any plans to have your commentators condemn the fans behaviour?

— Some Sports Channels Ain't What They Used to Be (@crowdiegal) October 1, 2022

#SUDvMAC#AustraliaCupFinalpic.twitter.com/6RrnnHo2pU

— D.\niel Phimphis.\ne (@DPhimphisane) October 1, 2022

If the salutes weren’t bad enough, the crowd chants also came under fire from those watching on with fans labelling the entire spectacle “an embarrassment”.

“This is the worst outcome for Aus Football. What should be something of celebration, historic team, semi pro, making the final. But instead, we’ve got Nazi symbolism and salutes, booing of the welcome to country. What an embarrassment to the game and this country,” football presenter Michael Turner wrote.

Sydney Croatia fans singing "Za Dom Spremni" which is some pretty rank fascist bullshit.

Old school Ustase chant that got Josip Simunovic a ten game ban when he did it for Croatia.#AustraliaCup

— Mike Meehall Wood (@MikeMeehallWood) October 1, 2022

This Australia Cup Final should have been a celebration of Australian football, instead it's tainting it.

The Ustaše symbols and chants, the disrespect to the Welcome to Country and anthem. There's no place for it. Serious talks need to be had before we concretise the NSD.

— Tom Williams (@TomWilliamsPol) October 1, 2022