Sydney United 58 sanctioned by FA for fan behaviour Australia Cup final

Sydney United 58 have received a $15,000 club fine and several suspended sanctions after a series of offensive acts by fans of the NPL NSW club at the Australia Cup final on October 1.

The club’s suspended sanctions include further fines, a deduction of up to 40 points in the NPL NSW, and a suspended ban from the Australia Cup over the next three years.

Sydney United 58 have received a list of specific requirements to comply with over the next three years to avoid the club’s suspended sanctions being triggered.

The requirements include:

  • Ongoing volunteer work with First Nations and Jewish communities
  • Compulsory education and training to counter racism, discrimination, anti-Semitic and other faith-based hatred for the Sydney United 58 FC’s Board, Executive administrators, players, support staff, volunteers, and fan group leaders
  • compulsory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency training for the Sydney United 58 FC’s Board, Executive administrators, players, support staff, volunteers, and fan group leaders
  •  implementation of cultural initiatives at the club
  • prescribed standards of behaviour for Sydney United 58 FC supporters in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Ethics.

These sanctions come as a result of the actions of supporters of the club at October’s Australia Cup final, including Nazi salutes, booing through the Welcome to Country, and the chanting of songs with fascist links.

In a statement released by FA on November 4, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark said the scenes at the Australia Cup final “were some of the ugliest scenes we have seen by spectators at a football game in our country”.

Bark added: “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.

“Fighting hate is everyone’s responsibility. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies is proud to work with Football Australia and Sydney United on programs to counter antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. 

“We look forward to the club giving back to the community. As role models, it is incumbent on the players to take the lead in displaying mutual respect, understanding and acceptance on and off the field.”

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said: “Football Australia has run a thorough and considered process involving listening to several different viewpoints and lived experiences. 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 actions of certain groups of people were disrespectful and deeply offensive to the Indigenous Australian and Jewish communities. Through our consultation it has once again been evident the leadership role football can play in relation to societal and systemic issues like discrimination.” 

“As a result, we have acted decisively in a manner which reflects our desire to strike this behaviour out of Australian football.”

“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,” Johnson, concluded.

National Indigenous Advisory Group Co-Chair Jade North added: “Throughout my football career, I have witnessed that football, at its very best, has an unsurpassed tradition of welcoming people from all backgrounds, races, cultures, and religions,” said North.

“To millions of Australians football is more than a sport – it is a place to find joy and acceptance and as the national body we need to ensure that it remains that treasured place of safety.

“By the very virtue of the vast participation and supporter base, as a game we have an important opportunity to utilise our platform and embrace a role in addressing racial discrimination.  I am heartened by the measures taken by all parties and the NIAG will continue to advocate for education and inclusive practices as football lives its values and mission.”