Add Category
Western Sydney supporters have indicated they will boycott their club's games until further notice as the fallout from a weekend of clashes between A-League Men fans, police and security continues.
The Wanderers' active supporter group, the Red and Black Bloc (RBB), released a statement late on Tuesday claiming they would not attend Friday's home meeting against Western United.
It comes after six fans were handed banning orders at Saturday's derby loss to Sydney FC.
Wanderers fans were attempting to return to their allocated bay after unfurling a club-sanctioned banner prior to kick-off.
But after dropping the banner off at a designated point they were then denied re-entry to Western Sydney Stadium by NSW Police.
That then led to a series of confrontations with video posted by the RBB showing NSW Police pinning supporters to the ground and placing them in headlocks.
Other fans uploaded images of injuries allegedly sustained during the police operation to social media and the group described it as "the tipping point".
"The issues we have raised are more prevalent than just those at the derby, and have been experienced with other active groups recently," the RBB said.
"Our position remains clear. Until such time that all unfairly issued banning notices from the weekend's game are overturned … we will be absent from games, starting with our home game this Friday against Western United."
Wanderers chief executive Scott Hudson is in the RBB's corner and said the club reviewed the footage and "immediately requested the overturning of the bans on several passionate" RBB members.
Hudson said Venues NSW had committed to responding to the request before Friday's meeting with United.
"We are very disturbed by the feedback we have received from various parts of the stadium regarding their experience last Saturday night," Hudson said in an open letter to fans.
"There is clearly a broader issue and we stand in solidarity with our members and fans."
A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia has yet to publicly comment on the growing discontent between supporters, the police and stadium authorities, which is not isolated to the Wanderers.
Brisbane Roar fan group The Den also staged a walkout during their win over Melbourne Victory on Sunday after fans were shoved on their way into Lang Park and another supporter was held to the ground by police.
The Wanderers found an unlikely ally in Sydney FC great Alex Brosque, who said their "overly aggressive" treatment at the hands of the police should be a "line in the sand".
"It [the Australian Professional League's response] needs to be strong, the game needs to stand together and not tolerate this anymore," Brosque told SEN's Global Game show.
Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Friday.
AAP