‘Appalled’ AFL boss Gillon McLachlan apologises to fans over security measures

Gillon McLachlan says he was “hurt to hear’’ fans were fearful of heightened security measures.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has apologised, saying he was “hurt to hear” many football fans were fearful of heightened security at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has apologised, saying he was “hurt to hear” many football fans were fearful of heightened security measures introduced at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium in recent weeks, as steps were taken to wind back the heavy-handed approach of “behavioural awareness” officials at the ground.

After remaining mute as the controversy surrounding the intimidatory security tactics that unsettled thousands of fans at Marvel Stadium grew, the AFL boss finally broke his silence on the matter last night.

“It hurts me that our fans are feeling intimidated at games,” he told the Herald Sun. “I’m sorry they are feeling intimidated. If people are feeling threatened, we obviously will listen. I’m appalled. It hurts me to hear our administration is not looking after our fans.”

Carlton chief executive Cain Liddle yesterday approached Marvel Stadium at the behest of fans, including the club’s official cheer squad who were upset at the manner with which they had been treated this year.

Mr Liddle said the stadium’s chief executive, Michael Green, had “put his hand up” and ­acknowledged issues.

Mr Liddle said Carlton would not tolerate abusive language, ­violence or vilification but will “always stand behind our members and supporters who are there for the right reasons”.

“So our message to our members and supporters is simple. Keep cheering, barracking and supporting as loudly as you possibly can,” he said.

Security officers remove a spectator during the AFL match between Carlton and the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Under recent security changes at Marvel Stadium, security staff wearing “Behavioural Awareness” bibs patrolled the aisles three times per quarter to identify potential difficulties.

This could be reduced to once per term and may be carried out by police instead of security staff.

Mr Green clarified that security staff were empowered to approach and issue fans with a warning for abusive language or vilification, with the threat of a possible ejection if it continued.

“If it is around foul language or in any way vilification, then we do take action,” Mr Green said. “We are not throwing people out immediately. What we are doing is asking them to temper their language and certainly give them another chance.”

Mr Green also met senior executives at AFL House yesterday as the fallout from the crowd behaviour crisis worsened when former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett was accused of racism.

Mr Kennett, who claimed an “expression force” had been unleashed on patrons, alleged the personnel were “new arrivals” to Australia. But he denied an accusation of racism, stating he was simply questioning the appropriateness of guards involved in overzealous tactics being tasked with judging what constituted abusive language.

“It is the appropriateness of people with no knowledge and no history in this game (making judgments),” he said. “How is anyone going to judge anyone else’s behaviour, let alone people who were probably weren’t born here, don’t know the code, probably don’t play it?” The Hawthorn president said on Sunday there was no place in football for any form of vilification.

Additional reporting: Peter Lalor