FFA slaps lengthy bans on crowd offenders

The two incidents have sparked a frenzy of media interest and brought into focus the contentious issue of crowd behaviour at football matches.

FFA said a man who lit a flare at Campbelltown Stadium on 14 August at the match between Sydney FC and Macarthur Rams, and a man who activated a firework at Edensor Park during the match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney United, breached its Code of Behaviour.

Both have been banned from all matches including the A-League, W-League and Socceroos matches played in Australia.

A third man will be banned after an alleged assault during the 14 August match at Campbelltown Stadium.

“The troublemakers who bring the game into disrepute with their reckless behaviour have no place in the game,” FFA CEO Ben Buckley said.

“The incidents at Campbelltown and Edensor Park over the past week were the work of a few idiots who wanted to cause trouble.

“Football at all levels will spend whatever time and effort is required to ensure matches are played in a family-friendly atmosphere where people can enjoy football.”

NSW Police have indicated further investigations will be made into the incident at Edensor Park.

Football NSW moved swiftly to confirm that any person subject to a ban under FFA's Code of Behaviour would also be banned from attending matches in the semi-professional competitions conducted under its jurisdiction.