Western Sydney Wanderers to back Red and Black Bloc as they refuse to attend A-League games until banning notices overturned
Western Sydney supporters have indicated they will boycott their club’s games until further notice as the fallout from a weekend of clashes between A-League Men fans, police and security continues.
The Wanderers’ active supporter group, the Red and Black Bloc, released a statement late on Tuesday claiming they would not attend Friday’s home meeting against Western United.
It comes after six fans were handed banning orders at Saturday’s derby loss to Sydney FC.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Wanderers fans were attempting to return to their allocated bay after unfurling a club-sanctioned banner prior to kick-off.
But after dropping the banner off at a designated point they were then denied re-entry to CommBank Stadium by NSW Police.
That then led to a series of confrontations with video posted by the RBB showing NSW Police pinning supporters to the ground and placing them in headlocks.
Other fans uploaded images of injuries sustained during the police operation to social media.
“The issues we have raised are more prevalent than just those at the derby, and have been experienced with other active groups recently,” the RBB said.
“Our position remains clear. Until such time that all unfairly issued banning notices from the weekend’s game are overturned ... we will be absent from games, starting with our home game this Friday against Western United.”
Wanderers chief executive Scott Hudson is in the RBB’s corner and said the club had spoken to Venues NSW to get the banning notices overturned before Friday’s meeting with United.
“We are very disturbed by the feedback we have received from various parts of the stadium regarding their experience last Saturday night,” Hudson said.
“There is clearly a broader issue and we stand in solidarity with our members and fans.”
The competition’s commissioner Nick Garcia commented on the growing discontent between supporters, the police and stadium authorities for the first time on Wednesday.
“We will defend the reputation of our game and stand up for the rights and safety of our fans,” Garcia said in a letter published on the A-Leagues website.
Brisbane Roar fan group The Den also staged a walkout during their win over Melbourne Victory on Sunday after fans were shoved on their way into Suncorp Stadium and another supporter was held to the ground by police.
The Wanderers found an unlikely ally in Sydney FC great Alex Brosque, who said their “overly-aggressive” treatment at the hands of the police should be a “line in the sand”.
“It (the APL’s response) needs to be strong, the game needs to stand together and not tolerate this anymore,” Brosque told SEN’s Global Game show.
