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:
- 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.
- Capital Football have now engaged their legal representatives and time is required to brief the lawyer(s) of their situation.
- 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
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.
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.
Hands up those outside of CFC supporters and players that want CFC to be Canberras representation in the NSWPL and for that to be our best way forward. You have to be kidding....
ReplyDeleteCapital Football should not have been supporting the application in the first place, let alone now. They also need to release themselves from CFC by stopping holding their meetings and everything else under the sun at their facilities!