Western Sydney chairman Paul Lederer has slammed the “totally unacceptable” treatment and over-policing of Wanderers’ supporters this season and vowed to seek answers from police.
The Red and Black Bloc (RBB), Western Sydney’s active supporter group, staged a silent protest against over-policing in the opening 20 minutes of Saturday’s goalless draw between the Wanderers and Macarthur at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The RBB, who also held banners that read “Stand Up For Fans. Not Police Demands” as a message to the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), said they had been directed by NSW Police to surrender their drums, megaphone and banners two hours before kick-off.
Macarthur coach and former Socceroo Sasa Ognenovski and his Wanderers’ counterpart Ufuk Talay backed the fans, and Lederer joined them on Monday, releasing a lengthy statement.
Ufuk Talay (right) and Sasa Ognenovski were both sympathetic to the fans’ cause. (Getty Images: Corbis/Steve Christo)
“Since the beginning of the season, we have witnessed repeated issues surrounding the treatment of our supporters. The events of this weekend have brought those frustrations to a tipping point,” Lederer said.
“The treatment of our members and fans has been totally unacceptable. Enough is enough.
“The RBB are an integral part of our club which we are extremely proud of. That will never change, and we will continue to stand behind the positive contribution they make to the Wanderers and football in this country.
“Our supporters should never be made to feel like second-class citizens simply because they choose to support a football club.
“We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for equal treatment and common sense.
“For too long, our supporters have faced excessive policing, policing that you as members and fans pay for.”
Lederer pointed to hundreds of fans being withheld from entering the Sydney derby for up to 30 minutes and the presence of up to 20 public order and riot squad officers behind the Wanderers’ supporter bays in Campbelltown.
“This only adds to the feeling of intimidation experienced by the families that largely make up our supporter base,” he said.
“This level of treatment is neither reasonable nor proportionate, and there is no justification for a riot squad presence at our football matches.”
Wanderers’ fans, pictured here in round one’s Sydney derby, have been backed by their chairman. (Getty Images: Brendon Thorne)
Lederer stressed the club did not condone anti-social behaviour, but said most of Western Sydney’s fan base were not a problem and should be treated with “the utmost respect”.
“As chairman, I have a responsibility to protect the future of the Western Sydney Wanderers. That means standing up for the people who give this club life,” he said.
“I will not accept our members and fans being treated as though their passion makes them any less deserving of respect. Neither will this club.
“We will continue to raise our concerns directly with NSW Police, the A-Leagues and relevant stakeholders, seek clear answers and push for fair, consistent and respectful treatment.”
Lederer also thanked the Wanderers’ fans.
“You have never stopped standing up for this club,” he said.
“And as your chairman, I want you to know that we will never stop standing up for you.”
AAP has contacted the APL and NSW Police for comment.
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