An investigation is underway following allegations of spectators racially vilifying players at an NPL soccer match in Melbourne.
The ABC report that two spectators at last Friday’s match between Preston Lions FC and Heidelberg United FC said they heard fans in the Preston supporter area making “monkey” noises or a “monkey-type” chant, apparently directed to opposing team players of African descent.
Preston Lions, who were the home team, said it was aware of the matter and has reported it to Football Victoria (FV) and the police.
FV has confirmed it is investigating the incident while Victoria Police said it was aware of an incident at a soccer match in Reservoir on June 6, but has not received an official report.
Hundreds of people, including families, were in attendance for the match in Reservoir in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
The two unnamed spectators who reported hearing the racist chants are Preston fans and said they believed it came from their own supporter base directed to Heidelberg players.
Heidelberg United GM Chris Pavlidis said he was surprised and disappointed to hear the reports but had not heard any complaints other than “stock-standard jeering”.
“If anything like that was brought to our attention we would have followed up with [football authorities] immediately,” he said.
“None of the boys have approached us with a complaint.”
His Preston Lions counterpart Jason Goldsmith said the club was aware of the issue and had referred it to relevant authorities but could not make further comment while it was being investigated.
The club released a statement on social media on June 11, saying it was “concerned to learn of anti-social behaviour at our recent home game”.
“Football is for everyone … Any individual or group found to be in breach of these codes will face serious disciplinary action, including being banned from the club,” the statement said.
It also said it was committed to the FV Spectator Code of Behaviour, Conduct and Entry, and will release a phone number for fans to report anti-social behaviour at games.
The spectators said the chant began amongst a lot of booing that seemed to be directed at Heidelberg’s black players.
Among them was forward Bul Juach, who was born in South Sudan and migrated to Australia aged 12.
Juach scored the game’s winning goal for United and celebrated with teammates in front of the Preston supporters.
In a YouTube broadcast of the game, the commentator noted Juach’s celebration attracted “a chorus of boos,” which can be heard on the recording.
The alleged racist chants cannot be heard in the video but the two fans said it was clearly heard from within the stand.
The clubs and Football Victoria said they could not provide further details while the investigation was underway.
