FFA CEO Ben Buckley defends football fans
Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley emphatically defended football fans today in light of comments published in The Herald-Sun.
“Our fans are passionate and loud and they express themselves by getting behind their team and that is what makes football stand out from the other sports and that is what makes football a great spectacle on and off the pitch,” Buckley said.
“They sing and they chant and they cheer their team and they put time into preparing their banners and coming up with songs - that is an essential part of the football culture.
“Melbourne Victory supporters have set records by supporting their club in huge numbers and have contributed to the colour and the spectacle that makes football an amazing experience.
“The overwhelming majority of them are well behaved and I reject suggestion that our eviction levels are greater than other sports.
“Occasionally, like in every sport, some people cross the line and we have a zero tolerance policy on anti-social behavior but any incidents so far have involved only a very minor number of people over the life of the Hyundai A-League.
“Melbourne Victory called the meeting with Victorian Police for Monday and we aim to work with them and all other parties to resolve any issues .”