FFA charges Victory and Wanderers with 'bringing the game into disrepute'

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today (Friday 3rd January) announced that Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers have been charged with "bringing the game into disrepute" by way of the misconduct of their supporters on Saturday 28th December in Melbourne.

Further, FFA has advised the clubs that their public statements this week on the events of 28th December are regarded as inappropriate and damaging to the interests of the Hyundai A-League.

FFA has given each club until 5pm next Monday 6th January to show cause why they should not face sanctions for the alleged breaches.

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.

FFA Chief Executive David Gallop said today that deduction of competition points would be an unprecedented step for the Hyundai A-League.

Gallop stated "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 anti-social behaviour seen in Melbourne last Saturday.

"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."

Gallop said that true fans would never dream of hurting their club, adding "I have great sympathy for the overwhelming majority of fans who are sickened by the misconduct of a few, but its time to make the consequences clear to everyone.

The disciplinary action is based on an extensive briefing and detailed reports on the 28th December incidents compiled by Victoria Police, stadium managers and FFA's security advisers.

FFA can confirm that both clubs had previously received written warnings over the conduct of their fans and had been advised that the loss of competition points would be considered as an appropriate sanction if misconduct continued.

30th December 2013 - MELBOURNE VICTORY CALLS FOR FFA ACTION AGAINST WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FANS

11th October 2013 - A-LEAGUE KICKS OFF AS FFA LOOKS FORWARD TO A RARE YEAR OF PROFIT

21st February 2013 - VICTORIA ANNOUNCES TOUGH FINES TO CRACK DOWN ON SPORT HOOLIGANS 

21st January 2010 - BRUMBY SLAMS ‘UNACCEPTABLE’ OPEN HOOLIGANISM