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Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold says the obscene banner displayed by Western Sydney Wanderers fans at last weekend's Sydney Derby has made his two daughters not want to go to games any more.
The coach spent much of a press conference on Wednesday still answering questions about the controversy, four days after people in the crowd displayed a banner depicting a blue-faced male, suggested to be Arnold, engaged in a sexual act.
His comments were followed on Wednesday by a statement from the Wanderers saying the club was suspending the membership of 14 people from the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) supporter's group over what it called an "unauthorised banner" at the match at Sydney's Olympic stadium.
"The club is in the process of issuing banning notices to these 14 individuals for a period of 18 months across all competitions," the Wanderers said in the statement.
"Following review of CCTV footage from both before and during the event 14 individuals have been identified as taking part in concealing, assembling and displaying the banner on Saturday night."
"This incident involved key leaders of the RBB who have shown no remorse for their actions of bringing our club and the game of football into disrepute and have continued to flaunt their disdain for the club and our diverse and inclusive membership family further on social media.
"As a club we have had enough and have put the entire group on notice. While the vast majority of the RBB are exceptional in their support and actions for this club we must remove all those who see themselves as bigger than the club they support."
Arnold had told reporters the image had not affected him, but he described the banner as "completely inappropriate."
"Look, for me, does it bother me at all? No, I've got thick skin and I've been in this game for 30-odd years and I've been called a lot worse and been through tougher times," he said.
"But I think it's completely inappropriate for my children, my family (to see that).
"On top of that, all those young kids who turned up, with their parents to watch the game. I don't think it has any place in Australian sport.
Asked if he would like an apology from the fans responsible, he replied: "I would have probably liked one (before) now, I haven't heard from them for four days, so I don't want one (an apology) now.
"At the end of the day I would have hoped I would have got an apology, I didn't get one, so that's life and we move on."
When asked what he would say to the fans if he had the chance, Arnold was blunt about the effect of the incident on his family.
"I probably wouldn't have anything to say to them, because for them to think of that banner says enough (about them)," he said.
"I think they might need a new artist, it doesn't really look too much like me.
"But my family are upset, to the (point) where my girls have come to every football game I've coached and played since I can remember, and they don't want to come any more.
"So it's a strong statement from my girls and my wife, my wife is extremely upset, but no apology so we've got to get on with it."
The New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby has expressed outrage at the banner, calling it "homophobic and obscene" and called on the FFA and the Wanderers to sanction those responsible.
The FFA has handed the Wanderers a show cause notice and described the banner as "totally unacceptable and offensive".
Wanderers chief executive John Tsatsimas confirmed the club would respond to the notice, while outlining its disgust with the banner.
However the Wanderers supporter group, the Red and Black Bloc, remains defiant and unapologetic on its Facebook page.
They have even suggested launching a new range with the lewd image.
Arnold was asked for his thoughts about the response of the FFA to the incident.
"I don't know if it's actually been settled yet, I don't read the papers and I don't get involved, so I think what we have to do first is let the FFA deal with it, let the Wanderers deal with what they've got to deal with, and obviously we've got a football game on Friday night we need to win."
Eventually, Arnold shut down further questions on the topic.
"Let's talk about Melbourne City, I think I've said enough about it at the end of the day. It's not right in football, it's not right in Australian sport overall. Do you guys agree?".
Topics: sport, soccer, a-league, antisocial-behaviour, sydney-2000, homebush-bay-2127, nsw, melbourne-3000, vic, australia
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