Metkovic
Gesperrt
Lockouts, bans possible for ethnic clubs
By Sheree Went and Paul Carter
March 14, 2005
ETHNIC-based football clubs may face bans or have fans locked out of grounds following an outbreak of violence in a weekend match between Serbian- and Croatian-backed teams in Sydney.
The first match in 22 years between Croatian-backed Sydney United and Serbian-supported Bonnyrigg White Eagles was marred by clashes between rival supporters, despite the presence of 100 police and security guards in a crowd of 3500.
Football Federation Australia chief executive John O'Neill said the episode strengthened his belief in the new A-League, which was designed to replace teams drawn from ethnic communities. It kicks off in August.
"I don't think anyone ever thought there would be a magic wand that would eliminate some of the ethnic rivalries we saw yesterday but the message needs to go out to that fan base that there is no room for that sort of behaviour in this game," O'Neill said.
The clubs denied the violence was ethnically based, with United spokesman Sam Krslovic saying to draw such a link was an "uneducated and naive way to view the world".
"I think it's very dangerous to try and tie this into any ethnic rivalry," he said.
Soccer NSW set up an inquiry, and president Tom Doumanis did not rule out banning clubs or fans and having games played behind closed doors.
"In so far as these two clubs are concerned, all options are open," he said.
"After the inquiry hands down its findings we will act. No matter how difficult those recommendations may be we will act on them."
[web:d052742159]http://www.b92.net/sport/vesti.php?nav_id=164260&dd=14&mm=03&yyyy=2005[/web:d052742159]
By Sheree Went and Paul Carter
March 14, 2005
ETHNIC-based football clubs may face bans or have fans locked out of grounds following an outbreak of violence in a weekend match between Serbian- and Croatian-backed teams in Sydney.
The first match in 22 years between Croatian-backed Sydney United and Serbian-supported Bonnyrigg White Eagles was marred by clashes between rival supporters, despite the presence of 100 police and security guards in a crowd of 3500.
Football Federation Australia chief executive John O'Neill said the episode strengthened his belief in the new A-League, which was designed to replace teams drawn from ethnic communities. It kicks off in August.
"I don't think anyone ever thought there would be a magic wand that would eliminate some of the ethnic rivalries we saw yesterday but the message needs to go out to that fan base that there is no room for that sort of behaviour in this game," O'Neill said.
The clubs denied the violence was ethnically based, with United spokesman Sam Krslovic saying to draw such a link was an "uneducated and naive way to view the world".
"I think it's very dangerous to try and tie this into any ethnic rivalry," he said.
Soccer NSW set up an inquiry, and president Tom Doumanis did not rule out banning clubs or fans and having games played behind closed doors.
"In so far as these two clubs are concerned, all options are open," he said.
"After the inquiry hands down its findings we will act. No matter how difficult those recommendations may be we will act on them."
[web:d052742159]http://www.b92.net/sport/vesti.php?nav_id=164260&dd=14&mm=03&yyyy=2005[/web:d052742159]
