Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold troubled by Fan feud with FFA

AS Sydney FC fans prepare to boycott Friday’s game with Newcastle, coach Graham Arnold has admitted supporter disenchantment is a grave concern.

Sydney FC head coach Graham Arnold reacts at a decision during the A League round 8 soccer match against Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015. (AAP Image/David Moir) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

AS Sydney FC fans prepare to boycott Friday’s game with Newcastle to protest at Football Federation Australia, coach Graham Arnold has admitted supporter disenchantment is a grave concern.

After the Sky Blues’ active fans group, The Cove, confirmed it would stay away from Friday’s match — mirroring action at other clubs, including Western Sydney — Arnold said the dispute between fans and the game’s governing body reflected the supporters’ entrenched passion for the game.

Describing it as a period as troubling as any in the A-League’s history, Arnold said football had to deal with problems of behaviour among supporters, but had also been unfairly targeted with fans dismissed in some quarters as “suburban terrorists”.

“It’s a difficult time for everyone,” Arnold said. “At Sydney FC we have a great family environment for the fans to watch games in, and in The Cove I think we have the best supporter base in the country, who always passionately support our team.

Sydney FC supporters ‘The Cove’. Picture: Mark Evans

“The big concern is, if they’re preparing to boycott a game, it shows just how serious an issue this is, and how strongly they feel. This is an issue that we need to go away quickly.

“I saw Mark Bosnich on TV the other night, and how passionate he was about getting this fixed, and he’s 100% right. Without the fans there is no game. We’re into Round 9 this, there’s still a long way to go in the season.

“The thing is, no one is condoning bad behaviour (by fans), and if it happens it needs to be dealt with. But if FFA get it wrong (in banning people) the fans need a hearing. Maybe now FFA are realising how passionate people are in football. It’s totally different to the NRL and other sports. It’s the global game, and Australia is so multicultural that people are passionate about football. Those fans want a voice.

“Why is it only football to get bashed like this? There’s plenty of things that go on in other codes that get swept under the carpet.”

Originally published as Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold troubled by Fan feud with FFA