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A second Sydney United 58 fan caught performing "a fascist salute or similar gesture" during the Australia Cup final has been been hit with a lifetime ban by Football Australia.
- A second fan has been banned from attending all NPL, A-Leagues, Australia Cup and national team matches
- Football Australia said the ban related to "a fascist salute or similar gesture"
- Former Socceroo and Sydney Croatia defender Tony Popvovic said he was disappointed in the behaviour of some fans
NPL NSW side United — a former National Soccer League powerhouse — were the first second-tier outfit to reach the knockout competition's decider.
But their achievement was overshadowed by the antisocial behaviour of some of their supporters as they went down 2-0 to Macarthur FC last Saturday night.
It included Nazi salutes, a group of fans booing through the Welcome to Country, and the chanting of songs with fascist links.
FA banned one fan for life on Wednesday and concluded an investigation into a second fan on Friday, resulting in the same penalty.
Both fans are now banned from attending any matches sanctioned by FA, including NPL, A-Leagues, Australia Cup and national team matches.
"The ban is effective immediately," the governing body said in a statement.
"As with the first ban issued by Football Australia on Wednesday, the conduct in question relates to a fascist salute or similar gesture conducted during the match and captured on the host broadcast."
FA also expects to receive submissions from United on Friday in respect to a show-cause notice issued because of crowd behaviour during the Cup final.
Former Socceroos defender Tony Popovic, who made a name for himself with the club previously known as Sydney Croatia during the 1990s, was disappointed some fans had tainted his old side's appearance in the Australia Cup final.
"It's a shame because it was a wonderful game, a wonderful occasion," now-Melbourne Victory coach Popovic told reporters on Friday.
"A fantastic football club had an opportunity to play in a final and hopefully next time that happens we can just talk about the great colour and passion and noise that a football club from the NPL can bring."
There could be further penalties to come, with FA continuing to review anti-social behaviour at the Cup final with the clubs and law enforcement.
AAP