Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic throws support behind angry fans

The sentiment from the clubs involved in Saturday night’s Melbourne derby about the selling of the A-League grand final to Sydney could hardly be any more different.

Tony Popovic shows his appreciation for Melbourne Victory’s fans. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Melbourne Victory will support its fans’ decision to abandon Saturday night’s Melbourne derby after 20 minutes in protest against the decision to sell the A-League grand final to Sydney.

The active supporter groups of Victory and Melbourne City will walk out of AAMI Park with more than three-quarters of the derby remaining.

More protest action is planned around the A-League as fans vent their fury over the Australian Professional Leagues board’s money-driven decision to sell the competition’s men’s and women’s grand finals, as well as E-League deciders, to the NSW government for the next three years for around $20m.

The decision led to Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro standing down from the APL board.

Victory coach Tony Popovic said he, his players and the club agreed with the supporters’ “sentiment”.

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“We’d love to see them stay for the whole game, and support an amazing game, but we also understand our fans and respect their right to make their voice heard, and if that’s the decision they make, we respect it and totally understand it,” said Popovic, who is no stranger to grand finals.

“I’ve had four grand final experiences (as a coach), home and away. What our code brings here is something unique, that the team that earns the right to play at home can create an amazing atmosphere, and it’s special for those fans.

“It’s also special for the opposing team, club and fans that travel to a hostile environment. It’s something special that we have in our game.”

Popovic said it was “disappointing” that the grand final drama had led to “negative talk” about Australian football after the Socceroos’ memorable run to the World Cup knockout.

“It’s been a talking point this week, but that shows our game is very important in this country, and it’s important to our fans,” he said.

“The chairman (Di Pietro) is working hard and pushing hard to try get the APL to reverse its decision.

“You can see that we certainly support the idea of having the team that earns the right to (host) a grand final to (have the game) played in that state.

“It’s something that we believe in.”

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In contrast, Melbourne City interim coach Rado Vidosic was seemingly all but gagged by his club to question the selling of the grand final to Sydney.

“We were briefed by the club and we are fully supporting the decisions that our club makes,” said Vidosic, whose side still tops the table despite last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Sydney FC.

“That is way beyond my pay grade to make those types of decisions, but we support our club, and we love our supporters.

“The club is looking at all the other options that we can provide for the supporters, and we’re going to do everything in our power to be in the grand final, and not just to be there, but to win it.”