Post A-league grand final recently, social media was flooded with people wanting to change the heavy hand of flare regulation. The scale and role of police at Australian football matches is another ongoing contentious issue. Like the match that ignited the furor, about 20 flares on the match. That led to questions around the need for safety precautions, fan experience and atmosphere at games. Miloš Degenek, an experienced player on the Socceroos, has expressed his worries that these limitations erode Australia’s home advantage.
Football Australia has long enforced an ultra-zero tolerance policy on flares and pyrotechnics in, outside and even SAMs in the vicinity of football stadiums. To uphold this policy, the organization has strict and expensive penalties for offenders. Degenek maintains that the opposite is true. This is having a chilling effect on the local enthusiasm and energy that makes this game so special, and it creates a decidedly un-level playing field for teams traveling to Davidson.
A Call for Change
Degenek has played in some of the most hostile World Cup qualifying campaigns. He’s sure that Australian front-running fans should have additional opportunities to produce a hall of mirror ambiance for touring teams. He stated, “It would be a lot nicer if when countries come to Australia to play against us, the crowd was a little bit more hostile.”
One thing is clear—fans and players alike are immensely frustrated. They understand that there is a tug-of-war between safety and a vibrant match day experience. That’s one point that Degenek emphasized, the difference in Europe. He explained that it means less police presence and more fans, producing a much happier game-day environment.
“There’s a code in the footballing world: Fans are never going to attack footballers.” – Miloš Degenek
This perspective emphasizes a desire for freedom within the sporting environment, allowing fans to express themselves through displays such as flares and pyrotechnics. Degenek said that instead of evoking terror, these aspects should add to the excitement of the game.
Police Presence and Fan Experience
As far as free speech arguments go, the A-League grand final incident was never just about flares. It injured one police officer and sent him to the hospital after he was reportedly kicked amid the tumult. Melbourne Victory’s chairman, John Dovaston, and managing director, Caroline Carnegie, took to public outcry to temper their angst. They criticized the “overwhelming” police presence at the weekend event. Though memorable, they went on to call the scenes created in the build-up to the decider on Swan Street “overwhelming and unacceptable.”
“Instead of promoting a fun and exciting spectacle of football, the extent of the police presence created fear amongst families and football fans alike.” – John Dovaston and Caroline Carnegie
The implications of this increased security have led to a contentious discourse about whether the increased measures taken are even reaching their primary goals. Other critics argue that too much policing has taken the fun out of the game. They argue that it encourages strife rather than jubilation.
Balancing Safety and Enjoyment
Degenek’s call for change highlights a critical discussion point: how can organizers ensure safety while maintaining an enjoyable atmosphere? He focused on the idea that channeling fans’ movements around the stadium fosters an atmosphere of fear. This heavy-handed approach is likely making situations worse, instead of helping people enjoy the sport in safety.
“You’re pushing them to a side. Someone’s going to step on someone, someone’s going to push and then that escalates really quick, rather than give them freedom to move and getting them safely to a stadium.” – Miloš Degenek
The ongoing debate reflects a broader tension within sports regarding fan engagement, safety protocols, and how to foster an environment that encourages passion without compromising security. The A-League grand final affair is behind every serious Australian football stakeholder an essential turning point. It’s about time for them to have to reconsider their antifan expression, pro-police intervention regulations.
