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Hill: end the hooliganism myth

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 12 Maret 2013 | 09.57

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Crowd strife ... a Newcastle Jets supporter is lead away by police. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

So, we've now had two "silent" protests by two different sets of supporters in the space of one week. What are they telling us?

In my opinion, they pose a serious question as to the discontent between fans, and how the stands at A-League matches are monitored and controlled by the authorities.  It is also very clear that there is real anger from genuine fans at how they are being portrayed in the mainstream media.

Let's make one thing clear from the outset. I am not condoning poor behaviour by supporters at games. Any loutishness, criminal damage or violence is to be condemned in the strongest terms.  I applaud the harsh punishments dished out to those who are proven to have taken part in such acts. But something written in a Melbourne paper last week struck a chord - taking me back to an earlier time, supporting my team in England.

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The paper's editorial wrote that the "British disease that infected soccer (sic) has reappeared in Australia". It went on to label the alleged problems at Melbourne Victory games as a "new epidemic" being spread by "thugs."
I lived through those times as a fan in the UK, and while it's true there were many high profile incidents in the 1980s, I went to hundreds of matches at some of the most notorious grounds in England, and rarely encountered any trouble.

Why? Because I didn't look for it. I was only interested in supporting my team.  Poor behaviour is a social disease, not a football one. I saw many more fights in the pub on a Friday, but that didn't stop me going out for a drink every weekend either. There are thousands of A-League fans here in Australia just like that - the vast majority in fact - and to label the problems as an "epidemic" is not only unfair to that majority, it's unnecessarily inflammatory.

It's also plain wrong. Want proof? Righto.

Flares ... Simon says keep them at home. Source: News Limited

At Victory matches this year, (ahead of the Newcastle Jets game) there had been a total (at all home games) of 36 evictions. An average of 3.25 per game. In an average attendance of 23,610. Doesn't sound much like an epidemic to me. Those figures are roughly similar to the ejection figures for all AFL games at Etihad Stadium last season. In 2012, there were a total of 210 evictions over 47 games - an average of just over 4 per game. 

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Now, the reason I bring AFL into this argument is not to denigrate the code or its fans. Everyone has the right to support the code of their choice, and there are many fans who watch, and enjoy both games. But some in the Melbourne media continue to try to draw parallels between the behaviour of the fans of the codes - and it's about time some myths were challenged.  Why are those AFL figures (comparable in number) not given similar front page treatment?

In response to the trouble at the Melbourne derby (yes, there was some - no use denying it), Melbourne Victory acted swiftly, handing out very severe penalties to the handful of their fans found guilty of anti-social behaviour.
But the problem for football is the oxygen some mainstream media give to these myths. Did the paper applaud Victory's actions for cracking down (as they demanded)? No - they interviewed one of those banned, put him in the paper and tried to perpetuate the myth once again. Unbelievable.The vast majority of well-behaved football fans just aren't prepared to cop it, (if you'll pardon the pun) any longer, and nor should they.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Western Sydney 24 16 2 6 15 50
2 Central Coast 24 13 6 5 22 45
3 Victory 24 12 4 8 3 40
4 Adelaide 24 12 3 9 3 39
5 Sydney 24 9 3 12 -8 30
6 Newcastle 25 8 6 11 -12 30
7 Brisbane 24 8 5 11 1 29
8 Perth 24 8 4 12 -2 28
9 Heart 24 8 3 13 -4 27
10 Wellington 25 6 6 13 -18 24

There are other examples of this uneven approach - a television crew planting a mini-cam near the Western Sydney Wanderers end in the February 16 game at AAMI Park, specifically to try and capture footage of trouble. Newspaper reporters following travelling Victory fans to pre-match pub venues, trying to catch them if they showed anti-social behaviour.

Is the same treatment dished out to AFL fans, who misbehave in equal numbers? Fat chance. Those mischief-makers are ignored, or at best, brushed off as being "larrikins" - regular blokes who've had a bit too much grog at the footy. But trouble at the "soccer?"  That's a riot, mate.

The reason for the double standard can perhaps be found in the demographic of the reporters involved in the Melbourne media. Most (in fact, a very large majority) are Anglo. A-League crowds by contrast, are very reflective of the cultural shift going on in Australia - a multi-cultural sport mirroring a nation where one in four is now born overseas. Yet those trends are not reflected at all in the Melbourne media.

The mono-culture that dominates in those circles (in the main) understands little, and cares even less about "soccer." I've witnessed that first hand in my work in the media.

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The main thrust of a recent tasteless story in a Melbourne paper was that the chanting and cheering alarmed the writer- and the nasty undercurrent was that this was due to it being "foreign" in origin. His standout line was that "WE invented a great football code" (we, I presume being the Anglo part of Australia, and the code being AFL), implying inherent superiority in all facets, and, furthermore, that if they (being "soccer" fans) didn't agree, then they could all "rack off." Seriously.

In return, we should be asking - to whom is this addressed? Is he inferring that all football fans are to be labelled as somehow foreign due to their love of the game? What about those born here who attend A-League matches? Are they to be forcibly expatriated because of such assumptions, and the actions of an idiotic few, who were probably born here too? 

Let's finish where we started - back in the UK. The trouble in the 1980s was real enough, but even then (outside of the major events at Heysel and the infamous Luton/Millwall clash), it remained the unwanted acts of a small minority. The media there too, did a good job of whipping up the story into a frenzy (minus the racial undertones), prompting calls for ever heavier-handed policing and even ID cards, as espoused by the then PM, Margaret Thatcher.

In the end, one of the major contributing factors to easing tensions in stadia was a co-operative approach by police, authorities, clubs and fans, who did some splendid work through the fanzine movement to campaign for better treatment (and facilities) for the well-behaved majority. Now, the authorities are more low-key, and, while still vigilant, seek to douse tensions, not inflame them. It's time for a similar approach here. 

The authorities need to know how to handle football crowds (witness the statement made by the Victorian policeman on duty at the derby, who said he was "only just beginning to understand soccer"), because football crowds are different - they're noisy, colourful, tribal, and that's what makes them such a spellbinding backdrop.

The message then, is this:

Fans - be vigilant, and self-police. Don't stand for any nonsense from your fellow supporters who partake in trouble, and for pity's sake, leave the flares for the open sea. They're illegal. If you misbehave, you deserve all you get.

Authorities - please look at your tactics when controlling football crowds. By all means evict trouble-makers, but perhaps take time to get some advice from your UK/European counterparts, who are more familiar with football crowd behaviour. Liaise with active supporter groups, earn their trust and demand it in return.  Remember, 99.9 per cent are just there to watch the game and support their team.

As for those in the media who seek to sensationalise and label all football fans as hooligans, merely to paint their own code of choice in a better light - look at the facts. Your stereotypes are untrue and  unwarranted. Stick to what you know. 

And to re-work the words of that crass Melbourne reporter - take your oval-shaped ball with you.


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Magpie Cloke to volunteer at Salvos

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You fined me? ... Cloke has been slugged for parking in CEO's spot. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke will reportedly serve volunteer nightshifts for the Salvation Army as punishment for parking in the club CEO's car spot.

Cloke initially received a $1000 fine for taking Gary Pert's car space at the club's offices.

Car parks outside the club's training base are in short supply and Cloke had reportedly been warned about parking in the spot reserved for Pert more than once.

News Limited reported Cloke admitted that he did the wrong thing and suggested the punishment instead of the fine.

"As a senior player, I have to set an example," he said.

"I recognise that and while I thought this was an in-house issue, it's blown up in the public and I want to put it all to bed," he said.

But the AFL Players' Association was unimpressed, a spokesperson describing the situation as "ludicrous".

"We can only assume there has been some kind of confusion - clearly the AFL players' code of conduct makes no reference to players being sanctioned for parking in an executive's car space."


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Watson hits back at Howard

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Media storm ... Dropped Test star Shane Watson arrives back in Sydney from India. Source: Stephen Cooper / News Limited

Shane Watson has fired back at Australia high-performance manager Pat Howard, saying he and Michael Clarke have a strong relationship that goes back to when they were 12 years old.

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Watson landed in Sydney on Tuesday night after leaving the Test squad in India in the wake of being stood down by coach Mickey Arthur for failing to complete some homework.

The Australia vice-captain accepted he had done the wrong thing after mistakenly thinking the review was to be done in the lead up to the third Test in Mohali.

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Howard had earlier said that Watson was a "sometime" team player and that he and Clarke had some issues to work out.

However, Watson was adamant he and Clarke have a strong relationship that is stronger than Howard understands after only being appointed a year and a half ago.

"Pat Howard doesn't know me particularly well," he said.

"In the end, the way relationships work there's ups and downs. I've played against and with Michael Clarke since I was 12 and there's a lot of history there.

"Things are going really well with myself and Michael, Pat Howard has only come on board in the last year and a half ... he hasn't been in and around cricket for very long.

"Myself and Michael go back a little more than a year and a half and I actually talked to Michael when I got off the plane because he obviously heard the comments that Pat made."

Watson said bluntly said "yes" when asked if he was disappointed in Howard's comments.

Watson remained strong in his view that to have a Test match taken away from him was "extremely harsh".

But it allowed him to return to Australia to be with his pregnant wife, Lee Furlong.

"I think it is extremely harsh to be suspended for a Test match for your country, in any circumstance," he said.

"I expressed my opinions to the leadership group ... I have a very open relationship with all of the guys. I expressed my extreme disappointment with the decision.

"It means I can come home to something very exciting in my life. At this point in time I'm only thinking about the safe arrival of our baby."

Howard held a press conference on Tuesday, saying Watson and Clarke didn't get on.

"They have normal difficulties that anybody has in a relationship," said Howard.

"I'm not going to get drawn into that  conversation, the captain and vice-captain have got to sort their issues out.

Watson said he wasn't in the leadership group but didn't talk about his future in the sport.

"Look, I'm not in the leadership group, at least I wasn't in the leadership group for that decision," he said.

"They obviously thought that was the right decision for the team at this point. I accept I did the wrong thing but I will always find it hard to accept being suspended for a Test match for your country.

"I've missed a lot of games for my country because of injury in my career. When that's taken away from you you'd think the actions that had that taken away from you would have to be pretty severe."


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Magpies' stars to miss season start

Grounded ... Dale Thomas, Luke Ball and Alan Didak will miss the start of the season. Source: News Limited

Collingwood expect to start their AFL season without premiership stars Luke Ball, Dale Thomas and Alan Didak.

And there are doubts over whether Ball and Thomas will make it back for the much-anticipated round two clash with Carlton and their former coach Mick Malthouse.

Ball is still on the comeback trail from major knee surgery, while Thomas is yet to return from an off-season ankle operation.

Didak is yet to play this pre-season because of a hamstring strain.

In an injury update on their website on Wednesday, the Magpies said Ball and Thomas were both three to four weeks away from returning.


Fox Footy is the only place to see every game of the 2013 AFL regular season live in high definition and uninterrupted siren-to-siren.


The Magpies open their season against North Melbourne on March 31.

Their clash with the Blues, whose new coach Malthouse led Collingwood to the 2010 flag, is less than four weeks away.

Didak, 30, who played just 11 games in an injury-riddled AFL season last year, is forecast to return in three weeks.

"Alan is getting towards the sharp end of his recovery," Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh said.


Check out the full 2013 AFL premiership season fixture


"He is stepping up his training and has had no setbacks."

Key defender Ben Reid, who injured his knee against West Coast in early March, is expected to recover in time for Collingwood's season-opener.

Versatile big man Lachy Keeffe, who suffered a major knee injury in round nine last year, won't be back until well into the home and away season.


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Aussie F1 star gets aggressive

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Determined ... Ricciardo has his eyes well and truly set on moving up in F1. Source: Mark Baker / AAP

Rising star Daniel Ricciardo is vowing to crank up the aggression when the red lights go out on the new Formula 1 season this weekend.

The Australian is about to begin his second full season at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne with the Red Bull-backed Toro Rosso team.

No. Driver Team
1 Sebastian Vettel (GER) Red Bull
2 Mark Webber (AUS)
3 Fernando Alonso (ESP) Ferrari
4 Felipe Massa (BRZ)
5 Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren
6 Sergio Perez (MEX)
7 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Lotus
8 Romain Grosjean (FRA)
9 Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes
10 Lewis Hamilton (GBR)
11 Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Sauber
12 Esteban Gutierrez (MEX)
14 Paul di Resta (GBR) Force India
15 Adrian Sutil (GER)
16 Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Williams
17 Valtteri Bottas (FIN)
18 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Toro Rosso
19 Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA)
20 Charles Pic (FRA) Caterham
21 Giedo van der Garde (NED)
22 Jules Bianchi (FRA) Marussia
23 Max Chilton (GBR)

Ricciardo often lost places on the run from the start down to turn one in his debut year with the team, but is looking to take no prisoners on the opening lap of this year's races.

"Hoping to tear it apart!" he said during a News Limited online chat session with fans. "Don't plan on making any friends."


Check out everything Daniel Ricciardo had to say to fans during Tuesday's live chat HERE.


The Perth-born racer has his fingers crossed that there will also be fewer cars in front of him on the grid.

Ricciardo is hoping Toro Rosso's new STR8 will be a leap forward on last year's car, which saw both he and French teammate Jean-Eric Vergne struggle to make the first qualifying cut early in the season.

This year, Ricciardo has his sights set on being inside the top 10 on Saturday.

"I'm really hoping to make Q3. That's the first aim for the weekend.

"We will soon find out if the car is better than last year. I believe it is, but question is how much more have the other teams improved."

The 2013 season is make or break for Ricciardo. One of many young drivers Red Bull has on its books, he will be under pressure to retain his seat at the team if he doesn't show star potential this year.

The Italian team has rarely kept drivers for more than two years since the energy drink company's name went over the doors in 2006.

But, despite knowing there is a raft of up-and-coming drivers all waiting for their shot at the big time, Ricciardo revealed the greatest pressure comes from himself.

Chasing his Formula 1 dreams meant giving up a lot, something Ricciardo has never forgotten.

"I think once I made that commitment to move to Europe, that was my biggest motivation.

"I sacrificed a lot of my teenage childhood and friends' birthdays etc. So to go home empty handed would feel like a loss.

"For that reason, I want to do it properly."


Follow our Live Blog of the Australian F1 Grand Prix this Sunday on SPEEDTV.com.au.


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Wilshere out for three weeks

Gunned down ... Arsenal's Jack Wilshere will miss three weeks with an ankle injury. Source: John Walton / AFP

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has suffered an ankle injury that will keep him out of action for up to three weeks, manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Tuesday.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Man United 28 23 2 3 37 71
2 Man City 28 17 8 3 27 59
3 Tottenham 29 16 6 7 15 54
4 Chelsea 28 15 7 6 26 52
5 Arsenal 28 13 8 7 21 47
6 Liverpool 29 12 9 8 20 45
7 Everton 28 11 12 5 9 45
8 West Brom 29 13 4 12 2 43
9 Swansea 29 10 10 9 4 40
10 Fulham 28 8 9 11 -5 33
11 Stoke 29 7 12 10 -8 33
12 West Ham 28 9 6 13 -9 33
13 Newcastle 29 9 6 14 -10 33
14 Norwich 29 7 12 10 -18 33
15 Sunderland 29 7 9 13 -9 30
16 Southampton 29 6 10 13 -12 28
17 Aston Villa 29 6 9 14 -26 27
18 Wigan 28 6 6 16 -22 24
19 Reading 29 5 8 16 -21 23
20 QPR 29 4 11 14 -21 23

The 21-year-old missed the whole of last season with ankle and knee problems, before returning to action in October.

He has impressed since then but his latest injury will rule him out of Arsenal's Champions League clash at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, as well as the forthcoming Premier League meeting with Swansea City.

He will also miss England's World Cup qualifying double-header against San Marino and Montenegro later this month.

"Jack Wilshere is out," Wenger said.

"He has an inflamed ankle; the other ankle to the one he injured (last season). He will be out for three weeks and will not be available for Munich, Swansea, and not for England."


Fox Sports football editor David Weiner will be live blogging Barcelona's great escape attempt against AC Milan right here at 6.40am (EDT) tomorrow morning.


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