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
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.
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.
