You are here: Home > Blogs > Voice From The Fans > The culture and politics of flares

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

Blogs

< More entries in this blog      Post a comment on this Blog      View comments on this Blog  

The culture and politics of flares

Posted On 25/01/2009

In recent weeks the issue of flares and smoke bombs has “flared” up yet again in peak supporter group on-line forums in preparation for the away trip to Japan and the Socceroos World Cup qualifier.

I got in touch with the Green & Gold Army (GGA) board of management member Michael Huckle to discuss the issue and find out what steps were being taken to ensure the problem does not resurface after a period where it appeared to have been in significant decline.

Rather than just enforcement by authorities Michael advocates education, discouragement by leaders and others from within fans groups themselves (for example, using on-line forums and at functions), and liaison with FFA and stadium managers.

He cites promotion and flexibility to encourage display of creativity and support by fans through a wide range of avenues that include singing and chanting, tifo displays, banners, group areas, pre-match functions, friendship and collective camaraderie, travel arrangements, discussions, post match get togethers, and so on.

As Michael also points out “if people knew of our (GGA) dealings with police, security, FFA, who are extremely concerned with such things (flares), and how detrimental the idea of flares has been in getting a place for active support (areas where fans can stand) in Australian stadiums”.

In September last year, Sydney's Cove won public praise from Sydney FC management and FFA management for their action to deal with a fan (and his mates) who activated a flare at HAL game in Newcastle.

While draconian laws in relation to management and behaviour of fans at sporting events may be counter-productive, it’s interesting to see that in the UK there is legislation, the Football (Disorder) Act, that specifically refers to flares at football games. Let’s hope in Australia we never have to get to that of level of intervention.

At the end of the day, perhaps the best way to deal with the culture of flares and smoke bombs is ensuring that wise minds prevail and set the best examples within fans groups.

It must be hoped for Yokohama early next month, that a potential small minority in the younger brigade heed the warnings and resist to temptation to challenge authority by not obtaining any pyrotechnic or distress flares and not letting any off either before, during or after the game.

When visiting other countries all fans are ambassadors for our team and nation, and we should not put at risk such a positive reputation of our fans that has been forged over many years of travel to countries all over the world.

See you in Nippon.

Email

Print

Digg this

Post to del.icio.us

Post to newsvine

Back to top

advertisement