Football Federation Australia has charged Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers over a street brawl between the team’s fans before last Saturday’s A-League match.
Two men were hospitalised after fighting between supporters from both clubs before and during the 1-1 draw at AAMI Park.
Flares, bottles and metal poles were used as weapons in the fighting which took place on Melbourne’s Bourke Street.
The FFA announced on Friday it was charging both teams with bringing the game into disrepute and said the clubs would have until 5pm on January 7 to show cause why they should not face sanctions.
“FFA has advised the clubs that their public statements this week on the events of 28 December are regarded as inappropriate and damaging to the interests of the A-League,” the FFA said in a statement.
“FFA has advised the clubs that the proposed sanction is the deduction of three competition points from each club.
“The sanction would be suspended until the conclusion of the 2013/14 season, subject to the proper conduct of supporters for that period.”
The points deduction would be activated in addition to any sanction imposed at the time if there were further incidents involving supporters.
FFA chief executive David Gallop defended the unprecedented proposed penalty.
“The loss of points that have been won fairly on the pitch is a harsh penalty, but it’s in equal measure to the enormous damage caused by the type of anti-social behaviour seen in Melbourne last Saturday,” Gallop said in the statement.
“The troublemakers are hurting the club they claim to support. They need to understand that the consequences of their reckless conduct will be felt on the A-League competition table if trouble persists.”
Source: ABC
