Grand Final rocket flare punished fivefold

Dandenong Thunder has had their appeal thrown in their face following last year's Victorian Premier League Grand Final rocket flare debacle. Five rulings against the club have today been announced by the national governing body in what was a lengthy process.

The FFA Appeals Committee today announced the following determinations:

•    The first five competitive matches of the 2013 season for the Dandenong Thunder Men’s Premier League Senior and Reserve teams be played in the absence of any Dandenong Thunder and opposition club members and supporters (excluding players) save that each club will be at liberty to allow a limit of 12 Club Associates to attend to act as coaches and necessary support staff.

•    The Club is fined $40,000.

•    The Men’s Senior Team is deducted three championship points from the 2013 Victorian Premier League season.

•    Prior to 30 June, all club members must undertake and complete an FFV Respect and Responsibility Course.

•    No Dandenong Thunder members shall be admitted to home games after the fifth competitive game of the 2013 season unless each member produces evidence of having attended the FFV Respect and Responsibility Course.

FFA’s Appeals Committee noted that the match was a “significant day for the VPL, and for football in Victoria generally”. Notwithstanding the importance of the club in the Albanian community and more generally in the Dandenong area, it said: 

“This was, after all, the showcase of the game in Victoria and the behaviour of the Club’s supporters was all the more appalling in that context. Further, and arguably more importantly, spectators, including many children, were put at risk of substantial personal injury by the discharging of flares, particularly rocket flares.”

Football Federation Victoria CEO Peter Gome welcomed the decision which, he said, reinforces FFV’s commitment to a Zero Tolerance policy when dealing with anti-social behaviour.

“FFV is committed to ensuring that community football matches uphold community standards and provide a safe and family-friendly environment which allows players, officials and spectators to enjoy the game,” he said.

“FFV’s Zero Tolerance Policy has seen a drastic reduction in overall misconduct since its implementation in 2008 and 2012 saw this trend continue.

“Only 102 matters were brought before the FFV Independent Tribunal in 2012 compared with 155 in 2011.”