Anyone who lights a flare will be hit with a $1,000 fine, while troublemakers will be banned from events or venues for five years under new legislation by the Victorian government.
The government and the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has had enough of anti-social behaviour at matches, and have worked together to introduce tougher laws to target the small minority of fans who come to matches with the intent to cause harm.
In the proposed new legislation, steep fines will be handed out to people who light flares, while ticket scalpers will also be fined more than $700.
Bans will be handed down to trouble makers based on the severity of their actions.
This week, the FFA banned three people for a total of 25 years for inappropriate actions at a recent A-League game.
The three were believed to be involved in the assault of a police officer at last week’s match at AAMI park, with one receiving a five-year ban, the other an eight-year ban and the third a 12-year ban.
Last week Melbourne Victory was handed a $40,000 bill after fans trashed Etihad Stadium, destroying 170 seats and lighting flares.
Both police and the clubs understand that only a small minority of fans come to the matches to cause trouble and believe the new penalties will put a stop to hooligan behaviour.
Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Richard Wilson, says the legislation is a step in the right direction.
“Legislation changes will certainly assist all involved in removing the small element of troublemakers and dissuade people from considering getting involved in this behaviour,” Mr Wilson said.
“The changes to crowd management legislation under the Major Sporting Events Act is something our club has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to achieve with Victoria Police for over two years.”
Premier Ted Baillieu, also a Melbourne Victory member, didn’t just single out soccer, but pointed a finger at all sporting events in Australia to clamp down on violence.
“There is no place for violent or destructive conduct at any sporting event in Australia and certainly not in Victoria,” he said. Melbourne Victory has made sure to keep working together with the police and the FFA to ensure the Melbourne Derbies remain
violence free.
“We are committed to continue to work with Victoria Police, FFA, all venues and security staff to eradicate the behaviour of the absolute minority who come to football matches with the intent to behave in an anti-social manner,” Mr Wilson said.
