Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Paul Lederer has launched a blistering attack on NSW Police over “excessive” and “intimidating” treatment of A-League fans, calling for an end to heavy-handed tactics after supporters staged a silent protest on Saturday night.
The Red and Black Bloc , the Wanderers’ active supporter group, said they were told they would have to surrender drums, megaphones and banners to police for two hours before their arrival at Campbelltown Stadium for Saturday’s clash against Macarthur FC, and that they would only returned if fans were deemed to have “behaved” appropriately.
In response, the RBB chose to stay silent for the first 20 minutes of the match in a demonstration against what they described as being “treated like criminals” – and afterwards, both coaches expressed support for the protest, with Macarthur’s Sasa Ognenovski warning that fans “won’t turn up” if they continued to be unfairly restricted.
Now the Wanderers have formally entered the fray via a 639-word open letter from Lederer , amounting to the most pointed criticism of police by an A-League club in many years.
Lederer described the weekend’s events represented a “tipping point” in relation to how supporters are managed, and said there was “no justification” for the presence at games of riot police at games.
“For too long, our supporters have faced excessive policing, policing that you as members and fans pay for,” Lederer wrote.
“Recent examples of this include, hundreds of fans being withheld from entering the Sydney Derby for up to 30 minutes, the moving goalposts around concession items, and over the weekend, up to 20 Public Order and Riot Squad officers were positioned at times behind our supporter bays in Campbelltown.
“This only adds to the feeling of intimidation experienced by the families that largely make up our supporter base.”
Lederer said it was wrong for isolated incidents of anti-social behaviour by individuals – which he condemned – to lead to collective punishment of people who have done nothing wrong.
“We recognise and respect the responsibility of NSW Police, stadium authorities and the A-Leagues to ensure everyone’s safety. But that responsibility must be exercised fairly, consistently and with respect for those attending our matches,” he said.
“For over a decade, we have worked in good faith with the relevant authorities, investing significant time in constructive dialogue and building relationships to address longstanding challenges.
“But our patience and willingness to work collaboratively should never be mistaken for acceptance. Our members and fans have waited long enough, and deserve to be treated with common sense and the utmost respect.
“As chairman, I have a responsibility to protect the future of the Western Sydney Wanderers. That means standing up for the people who give this club life. I will not accept our members and fans being treated as though their passion makes them any less deserving of respect. Neither will this club.”
NSW Police were contacted for comment.
The Australian Professional Leagues, which the RBB criticised in a social media statement last week for being “complicit in their silence” while leveraging active fans to market the A-League, was also contacted for comment.
Sydney FC’s main supporter group, The Cove, also released a statement after last month’s season-opening derby against the Wanderers at Allianz Stadium, detailing the “worst policing standards in the 14 years of the Sydney derby,” including an instance where a 17-year-old was allegedly “slammed repeatedly” into a safe standing railing by police, and five others who were allegedly handcuffed, evicted from the stadium and then released without explanation.
“This derby was the nail in the coffin that proved NSW Police … are not there to serve and protect the public. Instead, they create tension, assault innocents and aggressively target members who are passionate about our game,” The Cove’s statement, published on October 20, reads.
Over the opening weeks of this season, I have been immensely proud of the unwavering support shown by our Members, the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) and our wider fan base in challenging circumstances. You have continued to stand by the Wanderers, and I want to personally thank you for your support.
That loyalty deserves to be met with the same respect in return.
Since the beginning of the season, we have witnessed repeated issues surrounding the treatment of our supporters. The events of this weekend have brought those frustrations to a tipping point.
The treatment of our Members and fans has been totally unacceptable. Enough is enough.
The RBB are an integral part of our club which we are extremely proud of. That will never change, and we will continue to stand behind the positive contribution they make to the Wanderers and football in this country.
Our supporters should never be made to feel like second-class citizens simply because they choose to support a football club.
We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for equal treatment and common sense.
For too long, our supporters have faced excessive policing, policing that you as members and fans pay for. Recent examples of this include, hundreds of fans being withheld from entering the Sydney Derby for up to 30 minutes, the moving goalposts around concession items, and over the weekend, up to 20 Public Order and Riot Squad officers were positioned at times behind our supporter bays in Campbelltown.
This only adds to the feeling of intimidation experienced by the families that largely make up our supporter base.
This level of treatment is neither reasonable nor proportionate, and there is no justification for a Riot Squad presence at our football matches.
Let me be clear that we do not condone anti-social behaviour from any individual. Those who do the wrong thing must be held accountable. But the actions of individuals should never define an entire fan base. The overwhelming majority of our supporters are everyday people who simply want to enjoy football and passionately support their team. We will never allow anyone to take that away from them.
We recognise and respect the responsibility of NSW Police, stadium authorities and the A-Leagues to ensure everyone’s safety. But that responsibility must be exercised fairly, consistently and with respect for those attending our matches.
For over a decade, we have worked in good faith with the relevant authorities, investing significant time in constructive dialogue and building relationships to address longstanding challenges.
But our patience and willingness to work collaboratively should never be mistaken for acceptance. Our Members and fans have waited long enough, and deserve to be treated with common sense and the utmost respect.
Most recently, our active supporters chose silence to make their voices heard. For 20 minutes, the absence of their voices spoke volumes.
The drums, the banners, the singing, the colour and the passion are not inconveniences to be managed. They are the heartbeat of our club and part of what makes our game extraordinary.
As Chairman, I have a responsibility to protect the future of the Western Sydney Wanderers. That means standing up for the people who give this club life.
I will not accept our Members and fans being treated as though their passion makes them any less deserving of respect. Neither will this club.
We will continue to raise our concerns directly with NSW Police, the A-Leagues and relevant stakeholders, seek clear answers and push for fair, consistent and respectful treatment.
To every Member, active supporter and fan who proudly wears the Red and Black, thank you.
You have never stopped standing up for this club. And as your Chairman, I want you to know that we will never stop standing up for you.
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