Western Sydney Wanderers have threatened to disband their active supporter group, the Red and Black Bloc, if a “rogue element” among its membership steps out of line once more. In an open letter to fans, Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said the RBB was on borrowed time and called for new leaders to step up within the group amid concerns over the suitability of those currently in charge.
“As a club we are looking to bring forward a new era in active support,” Tsatsimas said in the letter. “This has come about due to the number of incidents in our short history which have compromised our club, our values and our culture.
“These incidents, often illegal and highly dangerous in nature by a small minority alone, have cost the club immeasurably – not just in terms of fines, sanctions and corporate partnerships but as an organisation that looks to stand up for Western Sydney, one that is inclusive for all football fans and proud to represent Western Sydney to a global audience.”
Tsatsimas said the club would no longer tolerate the kind of poor behaviour that has blighted the club’s reputation since its inception in 2012. He identified specifically the use of flares, violence, pitch invasions and discriminatory behaviour as incidents that would lead to the closure of the RBB.
“It is quite clear that this cannot continue and such behaviour will not be accepted at our matches,” he said. “Notice is hereby given that should any of these incidents happen this season ... then the club reserves the right to close down the active support area for an indefinite period as outlined by the club which will lead to the redeployment of non-offending members to other available seating in the stadiums during this closure.”
Tsatsimas called for a new leadership group to present themselves at a specially-arranged members’ forum later this month to guide the club’s active support away from their controversial past.
For such a youthful club, the RBB’s rap sheet is long. The lighting of flares at games has been a regular issue for Football Federation Australia and the club, and a suspended points deduction has been hanging over the club’s head since February 2016. Violence involving Wanderers fans outside grounds has also been reported, and they have been accused of causing damage to stadiums, including their own, by ripping out seating.
New depths were plumbed last season when, during February’s Sydney derby, a homophobic banner depicting Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold engaging in a sex act was unfurled. The club issued banning orders to 14 fans over the incident and was fined $20,000 by FFA, but escaped without having the suspended points deduction triggered. In the fallout, the RBB ceased communication with the club over the perceived injustice of the bans.
Despite the problems, Wanderers’ support has been widely praised for their passion and ability to create an electric atmosphere. A new stadium is being built on the site of Wanderers’ home ground, formerly known as Pirtek Stadium, and with a safe standing section forming part of the new plans, the club is keen to take match day atmosphere “to the next level”. But Tsatsimas said that would need a leadership group willing to work with, not against, the club.
“The reality is that further major incidents that affect the image and reputation of our club may result in the indefinite closure of active support,” he said.
On Saturday Wanderers face Premier League giants Arsenal in one of the Sydney club’s highest-profile matches, albeit a friendly, with more than 80,000 fans expected at ANZ Stadium. Wanderers, one of the best supported A-League clubs, have already renewed 15,000 memberships for next season.
