And The Beat Goes On - More Fallout From the Mens Grand Final

Sourced from the Canberra Times http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/olympic-hit-with-1000-fine/2306115.aspx

The article below was published in the Canberra Times yesterday, but things have moved on since then - again!

As you may be aware, CFC were to meet yesterday (Wednesday) with a Capital Football Tribunal to discuss the Capital Football breach notice that was served on CFC (and advised the penalties made on CFC) for the conduct of a small group of CFC supporters at the Mens Grand Final.

The meeting did not take place and is no believed to be scheduled for 12 October 2011. The NPL is not aware of the precise reasons for the postponement, but the NPL believes the following things may have influenced the decision to postpone:

1. CFC is believed to have engaged legal representation in relation to the matters put to it and the penalties imposed by Capital Football, via the Breach Notice. Not surprising, given the seriousness of the matters contained in the breach notice and the magnitude of the penalties.
2. Capital Football have now engaged their legal representatives and time is required to brief the lawyer(s) of their situation.
3. Finding a suitable time to get all parties to the table as soon as practicable.

As  noted previously, if CFC do not agree with the situation following their meeting and any subsequent decisions by the Capital Football Tribunal, CFC is able to appeal the decision. Presumably, the first level of appeal would be to the Capital Football Board. If CFC is still dissatisfied, it may appeal to the FFA. Action then goes out of the what we might call the FFA environment and to the civil courts. Every step takes time - and money for both Capital Football and CFC.

An unexpected and troubling development was the attempts by individuals to organize a protest at the Capital Football offices yesterday, to voice their dissatisfaction toward Capital Football, on the basis that Capital Football had acted toward several clubs ( in the words of the author(s) of the email) in a fashion that was described as "unfair treatment, disqualification, fines and racial discrimination". The NPL is not aware of the identity of these persons, but has been told that the organizing was attempted through email. It is troubling to think that people in the football community sort to engage several clubs in this protest. This unwelcome development must have been extremely irritating to both Capital Football and CFC. The protest in the end, did not eventuate. At some future date, perhaps Capital Football will pursue this matter. They should!

The CT article below indicates that Capital Football have also fined Canberra Olympic because some of  its supporters smuggled alcohol into the ground and used offensive language. The Clubs response was commendable and pragmatic: 

 Vice-president John Athanasiou said the club was disappointed by the sanction but ''overall we can't complain''.

''Olympic will take this on the chin and look to better improve our relationships with our spectators in the coming season,'' he said.


One matter that is mentioned below is a potentially serious one for Canberra FC - the unacceptable conduct of some of its supporters, may impact adversely on CFC's application to be included in the Football NSW State League 2 competition in 2012. . If it does, it would be a dreadful outcome for football in the ACT. Football NSW are under no obligation to accept ACT teams into their competitions and they have NSW teams that also wish to be prompted to their State League 2 competition. The Football NSW Board considers CFC's application (and others) next week The timing of the conduct of the CFC supporter group who caused the difficulties at the Grand Final could not have been worse for CFC. They have a lot to answer for to their players, Club officials and all other supporters. Delays between Capital Football and CFC in resolving the disciplinary matters seems unlikely to be to CFC's advantage at the Football NSW Board meeting.

So often, these disputes in sport turn on one thing more than anything else. For me it is this - CFC must find its way clear to acknowledge that it is the Club  that is responsible for its supporters at a game, no matter where or who runs the event. Individual Club supporters are required to abide by the FFA's Code of Spectator Behavior. Whether Capital Football could or could not have done better in organizing the mens Grand Final is a separate, but important matter, one that the CF Board must consider going forward, but it does not seem to provide relief to CFC in any matters contained in the breach notice.

We need to get past CFC's objections to the breach notice and Capital Football needs to to get on with calling the individuals they have positively identified as breaching the Codes of Conduct / Spectator Behaviour before a Capital Football Tribunal hearing.

For now we wait for the Lawyers at twenty paces! And a fat lot of good that will do, that could not have been done with a liberal dollop of common sense!

The false accusations of racism / discrimination against Capital Football and inciting people to take action against Capital Football must stop. Those who engage in Hooliganism at Football games should receive no comfort from their Clubs nor anyone else in the football community.

And what about the players? I wonder how they feel. CFC has an outstanding playing roster, they have dominated ACT Football for a decade and they deserve far better than the louts that caused problems at the Grand Final and they definitely don't need the people who have falsely accused Capital Football of racism. This baggage may just deprive these players of an opportunity to play their Football at a higher level in NSW.  It wouldn't take long for CFC to break into the NSW Premier League. What a wonderful pathway for talented young players in the ACT.

CFC management needs to get focused on the important things in Football for their Club going forward and in this case, its breaking into the NSW Premier League. To do that, they need to jettison some unhelpful baggage. The Football NSW Board meeting to consider which Club(s) will be accepted into the NSW State League 2 competition, now seems likely to be held before the disciplinary matters are resolved. How does that help CFC and what guarantees can CFC now give the Football NSW Board that there will be no repetition  by their supporters of the disgraceful conduct last week? And will Capital Football feel able to continue to support the CFC application? Guess we will find out. The CT article below certainly indicates that Football NSW is alert to the troubles.

As an aside - the NSW Premier League Grand Final to be held on Monday next week, will be between Sydney United and Sydney Olympic. Funny old world in Football!

Olympic hit with $1000 fine

BY DAVID POLKINGHORNE

28 Sep, 2011 04:00 AM

Canberra Olympic has been hit with a $1000 suspended fine following the turmoil at the men's premier league grand final on September17. Meanwhile, Football NSW said its grand final opponent, Canberra FC, might have its application to join the Sydney-based competition rejected because of the behaviour of its fans.
Capital Football issued Olympic with a breach notice but with a smaller penalty than FC received.
Olympic's fans were charged with smuggling alcohol into the ground, as well as using offensive language.
FC was fined $8500, with a $10,000 good-behaviour bond, and was docked six premiership points for the 2012 season for lighting flares, invading the playing arena and abusing Capital Football staff and officials.
It is appealing the decision at a tribunal hearing to be held tonight.
Olympic, however, will accept its sanction.
Vice-president John Athanasiou said the club was disappointed by the sanction but ''overall we can't complain''.
''Olympic will take this on the chin and look to better improve our relationships with our spectators in the coming season,'' he said.
Football NSW head of soccer competitions Bill Kostandas said a decision on Canberra FC's acceptance into the association would be made at next Thursday's board meeting.
Even if FC ticks all the boxes it could still find itself omitted because of the behaviour of its fans.
''Being up-front and honest, it would have to be a consideration,'' Kostandas said.
He said ''it won't be easy'' for FC to get in as it wasn't the only club applying for entry into state league two - NSW's fourth tier.
Canberra FC didn't return The Canberra Times's calls. 

Boomerangs FS Start the Futsal NSW Premier League in the ACT - Be There!

Sourced from Capital Football website and Boomerangs FS website.

Ethnicity / Racism / Hooliganism - The Three Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Football Around the World

Sourced from a variety of locations - work done in USA, Israel, Canada and Holland

This program was broadcast on 2xxfm (98.3mhz) across the Australian Community Radio Network on Tuesday, 27 September 2011 at 7:00PM.

An image from the Capital Football Mens Grand Final. This was taken after the pitch invasion.

An image from an A League game early this year involving Melbourne Victory.


This is what the Victoria Police Spokesperson had to say on the subject of VICPOL responding to crowd behavior in Football (source is The Age - video content athttp://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/police-scared-off-by-melbourne-victory-soccer-louts-20110218-1ayus.html?comments=61 ) :



"Victoria Police have confirmed that some officers are asking not to work at soccer matches as officials grapple with the issue of crowd violence and loutish behaviour.
Superintendent Rod Wilson said a rogue element of Melbourne Victory supporters went to matches with the intention of causing a ruckus, but stressed the violence was not ethnically related.
Police were particularly concerned about the use of flares and physical and verbal clashes between rival supporter groups and towards police, which Superintendent Wilson said had escalated in the past seven matches."
"Security screening is expected to be beefed up at soccer venues to prevent supporters taking flares into stadiums, Superintendent Wilson said.He said there had been reports of 14 flares lit at a recent match involving Melbourne Victory, and 24 people being evicted at one match from a crowd of about 8000."
"

"I'm not saying police fear for their safety. I said that police were reluctant (to work) because .... the policing of these sporting events is done voluntarily," Superintendent Wilson told SEN.

"We ask people who want to volunteer for Saturdays and Sundays on their days off .... all they're saying 'we'll come and work at the football, we'll come and work at the tennis or the racing, we don't want to work at the soccer."

He admitted there was a flaw in the screening process that allowed supporters to smuggle flares into stadiums.

"Yes, that is an issue that we're going to have to look at," Superintendent Wilson said.

"There are a number of issues. Do the clubs adequately stand up and denounce inappropriate behaviour? Do we see the players coming out and calling for better behaviour by spectators? These are all the things we want to discuss with Victory."

There are echoes of the CF Grand Final in this report. We need to learn from these situations.


The recent disgraceful behavior by a group of  Canberra FC supporters at the Capital Football 2011 Mens Premier League Grand Final game, has given rise to a lot of comment in the football community. For all the details  read the various posts and comments with each post.

It may be useful for some to see how far this has gone overseas. For those that have forgotten or never experienced the ugliness that infected the beautiful game here in Australia, and may not know just how hard the federal Government (s) and the Football Federation of Australia and through it the Member Federations (eg Capital Football) has worked to change the game and move it to a better place for the community, then this program serves as a warning. Gives pause for thought.

A clear statement by FIFA at the last World Cup Final. The 'No" to racism encompasses all forms that it presents itself in at Football.

As ever, you have to be ever vigilant on these matters. Unacceptable, dangerous, threatening and violent behavior can spark up in the crowd with or without warning. Clubs now stand at the forefront of maintaining the FFA Codes of Behavior which are reflected in the member federations competition rules. Clubs are responsible for the action of their supporters at the game - home or away. Where Clubs or member Federations find supporters in breach of the various codes of behavior and/or their competition rules on related matters, its time to act swiftly and firmly, it is not a place for misguided loyalty, no matter how well intentioned. For member federations who run events, the message is clear - do your homework, look for the signs of troubles, act on them, don't give any individual or Club the benefit of the doubt, keep a tight lid on behavior (and all the elements that affect it - alcohol, perimeter security, baggage search etc, removal of offenders from the venue) and above all, keep the environment safe for the football community and players. Yes, its come to this in the ACT and we have a Socceroo game and W League games ahead of us in 2011.

There is a lot to be learned ( or re-learnt) for the future in the current CFC supporter / Capital Football debacle. Its a long way from finished and it must be resolved in favor of Football.

Download the Podcast here:

FORWARDS documentary about Dutch football supporters

Sourced from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XInr6LeK074&feature=related

This is a 2004 documentary on Dutch football fans. It is fascinating.
The documentary  is directed by Sutyrin [Russia], camera Floris Van Der Weiden [The Netherlands], a collaboration between the Russian State Film Academy [VGIK] - Utrecht School Of Arts

Take the time to watch this documentary.

Racism in association football

Sourced from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2CX5633olM&feature=related

Racism in association football (known in the US as soccer) is the abuse of players, officials and fans because of their skin colour, nationality, religion or ethnicity. Some may be targeted (also) because of their association with an opposing team. However, there have been instances of individuals being targeted by their own fans

Racism in Football presents in many forms - sometimes it is devious and insidious.

I have vivid recollections of the taunts by several fathers of boys in an interstate team at the Kanga Cup about three years ago, who played out their racist beliefs by calling out to their boys and telling their boys on the field what they felt about the other team. Ugly, nasty and devious.

Just listen to what Head of FIFA said he would do if racism emerged in World Cup games. He got that right. If it occurs in any form at our games in the ACT, there is only one action to be taken - abandon the game and deal with the offenders and the Club they belong to. Call the police if it gets dangerous (flares etc) or violent. Why would you do anything else?

Don't accept it or encourage it, however and wherever it appears. Report it!

Racism in soccer - Toronto Canada

Sourced from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BqtZQt0Qk8&feature=related

This video was put together by a group of young Football players in Toronto Canada. It is pitched at a community grassroots level. This is good work.

Kick It Out - Kick Racism Out of Soccer

Sourced from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKB4vToUqfw&feature=related

The New Israeli Fund (NIF's) Lets Kick Racism Out of Soccer campaign to combat racism in Israeli society. NIFs campaign has put the subject of racism in Israeli society on the public agenda. Achievements have included new legislation specifically outlawing racist chanting at soccer matches and subsequent arrests and convictions.

You have to be vigilant. Pride in your ethnic / cultural heritage is not a licence to impose it on other Football players, Club supporters or any other part of the Football community.

Canberra FC Have Their Say to the Press

Press release provided by CEO Capital Football, after giving CFC authority to forward the press release to the Canberra Times.

Not sure how much of this CFC press release will make it into the Canberra Times, so is the full text. You will note that the CEO Capital Football forwarded this press release to the NPL, having previously given permission for CFC to make it available to the Canberra Times. Can't say fairer than that.


The CFC press release is an interesting document - most instructive! Just not sure it indicates that CFC have come to grips with their situation. They are correct to say that it was a Capital Football event, a fact which I am certain has not escaped the CEO and Board of Capital Football. Just not sure that offers much comfort for CFC going forward. This is starting to get very personal, a fact that I have observed in a number of the comments to this blog that I have not posted, because they are little more gratuitous  ignorant personal vilification. That sort of comment serves no purpose. You will note that the Croatian "ethnic" card seems to be played in the press release. An outrageous suggestion and one that might perhaps draw further attention. CFC's seeming lack of willingness to acknowledge full responsibility for their supporter behavior and the place it has taken them now, is a continuing and serious point of difference between CFC and Capital Football. 


At some point Capital Football Board and CEO must meet with the CFC Board (or reps from both) and finalize this matter. From comments made previously by the CEO Capital Football that may this coming Monday.


As before, we will see what unfolds. 

Press Release 23 Sept 2011

Canberra FC Response

The Premier League grand final held on 17 September 2011 between Canberra FC and Canberra Olympic was an outstanding success. All but very few of the crowd conducted themselves in an exemplary way and it is from a crowd of over 2000 at a community sports event that all participants can learn. The club and social media, including the Canberra Times website, have received effusive accolades about the success of the event.

Canberra FC seeks to correct the great number of allegations made against it in recent press and radio interviews. Those reports have been made only by Capital Football.

To be very clear the issue being raised are the verbal abuse of an official (hours before the main game) and flares being released during the game. None of these incidents are condoned by Canberra FC. The participants in the abuse were wearing shirts of other clubs. The flares ought to have been found in bags by Capital Football organized inspectors. There was no violence in the crowd, there was no confrontation between the supporters, there were no police arrests despite a sun seeking streaker

No invitation was received from Capital Football to discuss any issues until after 5pm on Thursday 22 September. It was only through the press and radio commencing on Wednesday 21 September did Canberra FC actually knew of any official investigation was being undertaken.

The facts of the day have not been made clear by Capital Football who should share in any blame. On 15 September 2011 board of Canberra FC wrote to Capital football advising that some social media site showed some intended disturbances planned at the game. The club requested that, as it was a Capital Football sanctioned event, that Capital Football ensures that there was sufficient.  security including police presence. Canberra FC has no authority to inspect private bags or visitors. Capital Football requested four vested officials be provided by the club “to look after their own spectators thus avoiding any confrontation between the clubs”. That was successfully undertaken by both finalist clubs.

The two security guards provided by Capital Football did not arrive until well after the commencement of the earlier scheduled U18 Premier League final. At no time did Capital Football station any security at the gates of the grounds to inspect bags of spectators upon entry to the ground.

It appears that the CEO of Capital Football is taking exception to the nationality of some of the founding members of Canberra FC and the vilification of the Croatian community cannot be tolerated in any form. Canberra FC has a proud history of involving and welcoming people from every walk of life. As a community organistation is has contributed to the spirit and strength of football in Canberra. Australian international footballers have emerged from the club and the club hopes that within its junior ranks that several other Australian representative will emerge.

The club has now received, after the announcements in the press, notifications of breaches of the Capital Football Men’s League Rules. Capital football seeks to impose pecuniary and arbitrary fines totaling $8,500, impose a monetary bond of $10,000 and deduct six championship points from Canberra FC in the next competition. Canberra FC will appeal those fines, bonds and sanctions.

The alleged verbal abuse of Ms Reid, or any other person, is regrettable and if Canberra FC is at all responsible it unequivocally apologises. The club will investigate the identity and actions of 6 identified people. At this time Canberra FC has not had an opportunity to review the situation as it only received those names from Capital Football on Thursday afternoon.

In view of what was a very successful community football event, the actions of Capital Football have brought unprecedented media attention to itself, has handled the entire review poorly and has not taken into account the concerns of ground roots Canberra football.

Canberra FC will continue to work with Capital Football to bring football to the whole of the Canberra community.

23 September 2011

Authorised by Canberra FC

Capital Football Has Taken Action Against Canberra FC and More to Follow

Sourced from Canberra Times http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/canberra-fc-fined-after-fans-flare-up/2301555.aspx


This story is not yet finished.


You will also find an excellent article by my colleague Eamonn Flanagan of the Nearpost, who makes the point that Canberra FC need to be leaders off the field as well as on the field - we expect that of our premier club. Go to http://nearpost.blogspot.com/ On the subject of the Croatian flags, colours etc I quote:

"Anyone following football in Australia over the last 20 years, and in particularly over the last 7, see clubs with ethnic flavour are out of favour, massively.
Why else are there no A-League clubs allowed to have an ethnic name, ethnic colours or their fans carry ethnic flags. There is no progress possible for clubs covered in ethnicity. Not my rules, just how it is these days"


"Canberra FC has got it wrong - will they be allowed into the NSWPL - they might - but they'll never represent the whole Canberra community because despite their name, their colours and their fans shouting Croatia loudly and proudly the club will never appeal to the broader Canberra football market."

Canberra FC fined after fans flare up

BY DAVID POLKINGHORNE

23 Sep, 2011 04:00 AM

Canberra FC is facing a hefty fine and has been docked six premiership points for next season because of bad behaviour by its fans at last Saturday's men's premier league grand final. Capital Football issued Canberra FC with a breach notice yesterday which contained a fine of between $5000-$7000 and they will need to win two games to get back in the black.
The club is also required to pay a good-behaviour bond of $10,000 for 2012.
The penalty comes from Canberra FC's fans lighting flares, entering the playing arena after the game, as well as alleged abuse towards Capital Football officials at their stunning 8-5 grand-final win against Canberra Olympic. Capital Football chief executive Heather Reid said the severity of the penalty sent a clear message.
''These penalties are all within the men's league rules, but we want to discuss them with the club and hear from the club officials about what they intend to do in relation to key people that we've identified as the perpetrators of the trouble, and they are registered players with Canberra FC,'' she said.
''Then we will proceed to take action against those individual players as well.''
At least four FC players are being investigated for their alleged involvement.
Canberra FC has the right to appeal against the breach notice and Reid planned to meet FC officials on Monday night to discuss the penalties, which were determined using a schedule of set penalties.
Canberra FC president Marko Vrkic was shocked by the penalties but did not want to comment until he had consulted his board about what action the club would take.
FC fans also set off a flare during the preliminary final victory over Belconnen United at McKellar Park two weeks ago.
Investigations are also under way into the behaviour of some Olympic supporters. Any resulting penalties are expected to be much smaller than those imposed on FC because of the relatively minor nature of the behaviour.
With a crowd of about 2000 watching, Reid admits the three security staff employed at the game were inadequate and more security would be needed in the future.

Capital Football Makes It's Position Clear On the Unacceptable Crowd Behavior at the Mens Premier League Grand Final

Sourced from the Capital Football website http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/site/news.php?id=1758

The following statement was placed on the Capital Football website today.

 Capital Football Statement - ROCK Premier League Grand Final

There has been much speculation and rumour surrounding events that transpired during and after the ROCK Premier League Grand Final between Canberra FC and Canberra Olympic at Deakin Stadium on Saturday 17th September. Capital Football would therefore like to outline its stance in relation to the behaviour of a small section of supporters at this match.
In the week leading up to the match Capital Football became aware of a campaign through Social Media to incite patriotic fervor between the clubs. Capital Football immediately contacted both clubs and advised their position and the club responsibilities. As a result extra security was added to the match by the clubs and contract staff.
Prior to, and during, the match the following announcement was made over the Public Address system at Deakin Stadium.

Spectator Code of Behaviour


Spectators are reminded that they must never use violence in any form towards another person including fellow spectators, players or match/team officials. Spectators must also not enter or attempt to enter the field of play or playing arena without lawful authority. Any person who does not comply with this Spectator Code of Behaviour, or who otherwise causes a disturbance, may be evicted from the venue and may be banned from attending future matches.


Capital Football has not, and never will, condone the use of foul and abusive language aimed at staff members, contractors or volunteers, or the use of flares in a public area. This kind of behaviour would not be tolerated in any employment workplace.
The atmosphere created by the majority of supporters at the game on the weekend helped to create a vibrant, colourful occasion, a backdrop against a tremendous match. Indeed, Capital Football encourages supporters to sing, chant and wave their club colours at matches in the region. However some of the behaviour at this match was out of control and measures will be put in place to prevent this happening again.
In June this year four people were arrested and fined $380 each for lighting flares at the Australia v Serbia match in Melbourne. Flares are banned from matches by the FFA and its member Federations.
The governing body of football in Canberra will not tolerate the kind of verbal abuse directed at contracted security staff and Capital Football employees during and after the Grand Final. As was noted in the Canberra Times article on Wednesday 21st September 2011, it was idiotic, vulgar, abusive, inappropriate behaviour that belongs somewhere else, it does not belong at our football games. The verbal abuse that was levelled at me and other staff and security will not be tolerated. Those people will be put on notice that we do not want them in our sport.
The club in question will receive a breach notice from Capital Football and the individuals responsible for these actions will face severe disciplinary action including possible police investigation.

FFA SPECTATOR CODE OF BEHAVIOUR


A spectator present at a Match or otherwise involved in any activity staged or sanctioned by FFA or an affiliated Member Federation, District Association or Club must:
(a) respect the decisions of Match Officials and teach children to do the same.
(b) never ridicule or unduly scold a child for making a mistake.
(c) respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, race, colour, religion, language, politics, national or ethnic origin.
(d) not use violence in any form, whether it is against other spectators, Team Officials (including coaches), Match Officials or Players.
(e) not engage in discrimination, harassment or abuse in any form, including the use of obscene or offensive language or gestures, the incitement of hatred or violence or partaking in indecent or racist chanting.
(f) comply with any terms of entry of a venue, including bag inspections, prohibited and restricted items such as flares, missiles, dangerous articles and items that have the potential to cause injury or public nuisance.
(g) not, and must not attempt to, bring into a venue national or political flags or emblems (except for the recognised national flags of any of the competing teams) or offensive or inappropriate banners, whether written in English or a foreign language.
(h) not throw missiles (including on to the field of play or at other spectators) and must not enter the field of play or its surrounds without lawful authority.
(i) conduct themselves in a manner that enhances, rather than injures, the reputation and goodwill of FFA and football generally.

Any person who does not comply with this Spectator Code of Behaviour or who otherwise causes a disturbance may be evicted from a venue and banned from attending future Matches.

Heather Reid
CEO
Capital Football

Boomerangs FS - The Futsal Success Story In The ACT Region

This program was broadcast on 2xxfm(98.3mhz) across the Australian Community Radio Network on Tuesday, 20 September 2011 at 7:00pm.

In this program we feature the Boomerangs FS, a genuine ACT Futsal Club that has spent the last year competing in the Football NSW Futsal Supa League. We speak to co-founder Kristian Collins on the season and challenges ahead and there are plenty.

The Boomerangs FS 2010 /11 season was an outstanding success and as a consequence, has been promoted to the prestigious, Premier League level, the most competitive Futsal environment in Australia. They have just held trials for the forthcoming season and have been swamped by the number of interested players. Boomerangs FS players are very well represented in the ACT Futsal Age Championship teams. It figures, they are playing top class Futsal week in week out. The players and parents know that if you want to improve in Futsal (and in so doing, improve your Football) and be more competitive at the Nationals, the Boomerangs FS is the place to be. The Boomerangs FS offer a top quality product to our players, their coaches must be qualified and experienced to be allowed to coach at the NSW Premier League level and most of them are ACT National coaches - and they do all this and keep the costs to a minimum.

Boomerangs FS will play their home games at the AIS training hall area and all games are played on an international size court. We'll let you know the draw as soon as it is confirmed. They games (mens / women, junior/youth/open) start about 12:15PM (usually Saturdays) and the last game finishes in the early evening. If you want to see top class Futsal, go to the home games. The game of Futsal is very different and a lot more interesting when played on the international size court.

The Boomerangs FS is the only serious development pathway for Futsal at the highest domestic level in the ACT. Nothing else comes close. Capital Football should talk to Boomerangs FS and have them be the Futsal development pathway (lets say Centre of Excellence) and have them run Futsal development for any other player that has a mind to improve their game. It could dovetail quiet nicely with the Football development solutions, just requires a bit of thought and talk.

Boomerangs FS is the perfect promotional vehicle for any corporate sponsor - so get in contact with them.

We will also cover the the 2011 Premier League Womens and Mens Grand Finals. Some terrific Football was played across the grades.

We then cover the appalling behavior by a section of the Canberra FC supporters at the Mens Premier League Grand Final. It was dreadful and Capital Football have given notice that they will pursue the individuals concerned, where they can identified. These miscreants will be given notice to appear before a Tribunal and if found guilty, you would think it more than likely that that they will be excluded from the game (in every respect) for a period of years. Enough time to reflect to their dangerous stupidity. Canberra FC seems unlikely to escape sanctions, after all, it was their supporters. They must be concerned for their desire to play in the NSW premier league competitions, after all, who wants a club with supporter problems. This story has only just begun and we will keep you posted.

Download Podcast here:

Canberra FC supporter behavior at the Capital Football Grand Final is something to be very worried about

Sourced from the Canberra Times

The article below appeared in the Canberra Times and is the very last thing you would hope to see about the beautiful game in the ACT region.

A section of the CFC supporters, camped in a section of the wooden tiered seating stand at Deakin Stadium, behaved in appalling fashion at the Capital Football run Mens Premier League Grand Final. This group were resplendent in their CFC and Croatian colors, waving a number of Croatian flags and chanting. Some were well fueled with alcohol by the time the premier league grand final commenced. They let off a variety of pyrotechnics (smoke and high intensity signal flares), a dangerous and grossly irresponsible act in itself in and around a large group of people, very nearly starting a grass fire in the parland behind the wooden stand. I was struck by the number of CFC supporters who wore a black T shirt with "Croatian Passion" on the front. Veru nice T shirt but what was that about and why weren't they wearing CFC T shirts?

CFC supporters who are positively identified as being a part of this disgraceful episode and are registered players, seem certain to be given notice to appear before a Capital Football Discipline and Disputes Tribunal. I am informed by Capital Football that they will be pursued. If they are found guilty, and there is every reason to think that will happen, the sort of behavior some of these individuals appear to have engaged in, breaches the FFA spectator code of behavior, most definitely brings the game into disrepute, and attracts very severe punishments. If guilty they should plan on being away from football in every respect (playing / spectating / anything football run by the FFA) for a long time - in their case, Football will be for some years, nothing more than a memory. Its that serious. Who on earth encouraged these people to behave as they did?

Canberra FC has some serious questions to answer - it was their supporters, they didn't belong to anyone else that day - there is no escaping that fact. CFC certainly face severe penalties. What they might be seems to range from substantial fines to having their premier licence withdrawn for a period of time. Again, its that serious.  The further consequence of their supporters appalling behavior may well be that they forfeit their desire to enter the Football NSW premier league competitions. Why would Capital Football support them and if they do not, why would Football NSW take a chance on CFC? Without Capital Football's support it  is very difficult to see why Football NSW would give them serious consideration. And this is one matter that will go all the way to the top at the FFA, Capital Football would be foolish to do otherwise. Again, its that serious!

If the comments  in the CT article below, attributed to the President of CFC are correct, then as they say "Houston we have a problem'!

The CFC President is good bloke in Football, but he appears to fail to comprehend that we are not playing this game in Croatia, nor in Greece for that matter, and this was not a game between Croatia and Greece, it was a game between two terrific ACT premier league teams. CFC plays in these competitions at the pleasure of Capital Football. We are no overseas! And even if they do behave like this elsewhere (and I accept they do), the bad behavior of others is no reason to excuse it here in the ACT region. The CFC President's reasoning, as quoted in the article below  is about as convincing as "the dog ate my homework"!

As to people getting drunk at the ground, well, it would probably help if they were unable to buy more than a can at a time and opened at point of sale, as opposed to what appeared to be the purchase of plastic shopping bags full of unopened cans. As to no one being hurt, we are all grateful for that, but it was no thanks to those that moved beyond the bounds of what is acceptable at a public event. Put another way - just lucky! Public safety was compromised by the actions of a group of CFC supporters and whether anyone was hurt or not, does not decide the matter.

What would have happened if Canberra Olympic had won? I shudder to think, because this noisy mob had no hesitation invading the pitch at full time, firing off flares and smoke. I guess we can be grateful for small mercies, but it doesn't do CFC any good in this matter. And how does the President of CFC explain the "Croatia, Croatia..." chant in front of the dressing rooms after the game, or the "Croatia Passion" T shirts worn by CFC supporters? He can't possibly be happy with the situation some of the Club supporters have brought upon he and his hard working team. This is no time for misplaced loyalty!

There is no going back now for either Capital Football or CFC.

The line in the sand is now drawn by the CEO Capital Football.and I cannot imagine too many in the football community extending there commiserations to CFC in this matter. Honestly, have the massive changes in the game, demanded by the Federal Government and delivered by the FFA and member federations,  completely bypassed some of the people in our football community? Seems like it.

Hell of a way to end a season. It masks the fact that the two teams (CFC and Canberra Olympic) are such fantastic teams, well coached and well matched, glittering as they do with a significant number of most talented young players. This was meant to be about Football, not the fools who attempted to insinuate ther way into the game and the event, by making inappropriate and potentially divisive appeals to the CFC's Croatian football heritage. Simply  wrong on so many levels.

Just don't loose sight of one thing - a section of the CFC supporters caused a lot of trouble, very nasty stuff, the sort of thing the FFA has been at pains to remove from our game. Well, its been visited upon us in football and must be stamped out quickly. We owe a great debt to the cultural diversity and influences in the development of football in Australia, and CFC is a substantial part of that in the ACT, but what presented itself at Deakin Stadium at the grand final was not part of it.

None of this needed to have happened and nor should it be tolerated.

We'll see how this unfolds.

Capital Football to come down hard on FC fans

BY LEE GASKIN, SOCCER

21 Sep, 2011 04:00 AM

Ugly crowd behaviour is set to cost Canberra FC plenty in the hip pocket, but also threatens the club's bid to be reinstated to the NSW premier league.

Capital Football has promised to ''come down very, very hard'' on the ACT men's premier league champions after off-field drama marred its 8-5 grand final victory against Canberra Olympic last Saturday night.Up to a dozen flares were lit at Deakin Stadium in scenes reminiscent of European soccer with between 30 and 40 Canberra FC supporters involved.
There have also been allegations of Canberra FC supporters directing verbal abuse towards Capital Football officials and security staff.


Capital Football chief executive Heather Reid said it was imperative that the undesired small element of the 2000-strong crowd be stamped out.
''It was idiotic, vulgar, abusive, inappropriate behaviour that belongs somewhere else, it does not belong at our football games,'' Reid said. ''The verbal abuse that was levelled at me and other staff and security will not be tolerated.
''Those people will be put on notice that we do not want them in our sport.
''We're going to come down very, very hard on those people.''


Reid said the trouble wasn't unexpected after a Canberra FC fan had ignited a flare during its preliminary final win against Belconnen United the week before.
She said she had warned Canberra FC officials that while singing and chanting was acceptable, the lighting of flares would cross the line.
Capital Football employed three security staff from a private firm.


Canberra FC president Marko Vrkic disputed the number of flares that were lit and didn't have a problem with the way his club's supporters celebrated.
''Overseas it's different, it's normal atmosphere,'' Vrkic said. ''You can't control what's happening with 2000-3000 people.
''It's not nice, but you can't stop someone from drinking too much.''


Canberra FC has been the dominant force in ACT men's soccer for the past decade, winning 10 of the 11 past league titles.
That's led the club to consider a return to the NSW premier league in search of a higher standard of competition. And while Capital Football has supported that request, Reid said this latest incident could make it reconsider its position.


''Canberra FC aspire to play in the NSW premier league and this won't do them any favours,'' she said.
''We have supported that approach, but now we'd have to question it. A club called Canberra FC can't be our ambassador with behaviour like that.''


Vrkic reacted angrily to those comments.
''If they don't support us, they don't support football in Canberra,'' he said. ''They are totally wrong.''
Vrkic stressed there were no injuries stemming from the behaviour.
Capital Football is expected to issue Canberra FC with breach notices by the end of the week once its investigations are complete. 

Capital Football 2011/12 Futsal HPP Trial Dates

Information sourced from Capital Football Website  

The trial dates for the Futsal HPP have been announced and the following timetable and process (published on the Capital Football Website) indicates how it will all lead to the selection of ACT Futsal Age representative teams to play at the FFA Futsal Nationals in January 2011.

PROGRAM DATES 2011/12

September 18 

State Squad Talent ID Trials at ANU Sports Hall

September 25State Squad Talent ID Trials at mPowerdome, Fadden

October 3Train on Squads Announced on the Capital Football Website

October 23 - November 06
Pre-Futsal High Performance Training Program
(1 x per week Sundays)

November 9
ACT National Championship Squads Announced

November 13 - January 8
Pre-Tournament Training Program
(2 x per week Sunday and Midweek)

January 2 - 7
Pre Nationals Training Camp(4 x per week)

January 9 - 13
FFA Futsal National Championships

Go to the Capital Football website for registration details - you must register. Simple to do.

Please note that the first of these trials will occur on Sunday 18th September 2011, which corresponds to the Womens Grand Final day. This is a bit unfortunate. So if you intend watch the Womens grand finals, make sure you register and advise Capital Football. Then make sure you get to the second trial.

Capital Football advise as follows with regard to the specific trial timings and locations to apply to both trial dates:

"Trials will take place over two Sundays in September.  The first day of trials will be held at the ANU Sports Hall on September 18, and the second will be held at the mPowerdome in Fadden on September 25.  Full details on times and courts for each age group can be found below:

AGE TIMES COURT 11 BOYS 8-9:30am 1 & 2 11 GIRLS 8-9:30am 3 & 4 12 BOYS 9:30-11am 1 & 2 12 GIRLS 9:30-11am 3 & 4 13 BOYS 11am-12:30pm 1 & 2 13 GIRLS 11am-12:30pm 3 & 4 14 BOYS 12:30-2pm 1 & 2 14 GIRLS 12:30-2pm 3 & 4 15 BOYS 2-3:30pm 1 & 2 15 GIRLS 2-3:30pm 3 & 4 16 BOYS 3:30-5pm 1 & 2 16 GIRLS 3:30-5pm 3 & 4 YTH (U’19) MEN 5-6:30pm 1 & 2 YTH (U’19) WOMEN 5-6:30pm 3 & 4

Womens Premier League Grand Finals 2011 - Sunday 18th September 2011

The Womens Grand Finals will be held at Hawker Football Centre (artificial surface - Tiger Turf) in the following order:



PROGRAM OF EVENTS


Sunday 18th September 2011


10:00 – Premier League under-18 Grand Final: Woden Valley v Belconnen United

12:30 – Premier League Reserves Grand Final: Woden Valley v Belconnen United

15:00 – Premier League Grand Final: Belconnen United v Woden Valley