Sydney United 58 fined and sanctioned for fans' Nazi salutes during Australia Cup final
Sydney United 58 have
been fined A$15,000 (£8,500) by Football Australia (FA) after some of
their fans displayed Nazi symbols and salutes at
last month's Australia Cup final.
It also issued several suspended sanctions
which include further fines, a points deduction and suspension from the
Australia Cup.
The sanctions will be triggered if the club
fails to meet specific conditions.
FA chief James Johnson said the fans' actions
had caused "deep hurt".
"Football Australia has run a thorough
and considered process involving listening to several different viewpoints and
lived experiences," Johnson said.
"What has strongly resonated is the deep
hurt and impact of the actions that do not represent the values and
expectations of our game or protect our community."
The FA had previously issued a lifetime ban to a spectator for making
"a fascist salute or similar gesture" during the final, where
semi-professional side Sydney United 58 lost 2-0 to Macarthur FC at the Western
Sydney Stadium.
The first non A-League side to reach the
final, Sydney United 58 were previously known as Sydney Croatia.
Johnson said the actions of certain groups of
supporters were "disrespectful and deeply offensive" to indigenous
Australian and Jewish communities.
There was chanting and booing during an
indigenous welcoming ceremony prior to kick-off.
"As a result, we have acted decisively in
a manner which reflects our desire to strike this behaviour out of Australian
football," added Johnson.
"The sanctions imposed on Sydney United
58 FC reflect the seriousness with which we have viewed this situation and we
believe sends a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be
tolerated."
In order to avoid triggering the suspended
sanctions, Sydney United will need to engage in volunteer work with indigenous
and Jewish communities and the club's board, players, staff, volunteers and fan
group leaders will need to complete compulsory training to counter
"racism, discrimination, anti-Semitic and other faith-based hatred".
They will also have to complete cultural
competency training and implement cultural initiatives within the club.
Former Australia international and National
Indigenous Advisory Group (NIAG) co-chair Jade North said he was
"heartened" by the measures taken.
Darren Bark, chief of New South Wales' Jewish
Board of Deputies, said the displays at the Australia Cup final "were some
of the ugliest scenes we have seen by spectators at a football game in our
country".
"The response by Football Australia to
these deplorable incidents is to be commended. We hope the sanctions issued to
Sydney United will act as a warning to other clubs that racist behaviour of any
kind will not be tolerated," he added.
