[size=7]Lockouts are legacy of riots[/size]
BY CHRIS BOULOUS
24 Mar, 2010 12:28 PM


THOUSANDS of fans will be locked out of the top of the table NSW Premier League clash between Sydney United and Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

It will be the third time the local rivals will play in front of empty stands in the past two years as safety concerns continue to haunt the two clubs.

Officials have banned spectators in an attempt to avoid a repeat of pre- and post-match riots after the predominantly Serbian Bonnyrigg supporters and Croatian-backed United fans clashed in 2005.

More than 50 people fought with flares and bottles, resulting in injuries to police and fans. Post-match tension rose when a car was bombed outside King Tomislav Club in Edensor Park and bullets were fired at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.

Sydney United coach David Zdrilic said football will be the only thing on the players' minds as they look to snap a fortnight of frustration and return to their goal-scoring best.

``It is disappointing in this day and age we have to play in front of closed doors but safety is the number one priority,'' Zdrilic said.

``Unfortunately, safety can't be guaranteed with a crowd so we have to contend with the situation the way it is.

``Our number one priority is converting our chance into goals against a very good Bonnyrigg team who have got some dangerous players.''

Zdrilic's counterpart, Bonnyrigg coach Brian Brown, said this game like every other game is a big game for his team.

``Certainly for both clubs it is a massive game but we can only control what happens on the pitch,'' Brown said.

``Every team this year have lifted against us and we expect nothing less from Sydney United.

``The three competition points is the most important thing and we will be looking to build on our second-half performance last week and take it into this week.''

Football NSW general manager Ian Holmes said the decision to play behind closed doors has been taken in consultation with NSW Police and the committees of both NSW Premier League clubs.

``Sydney United and Bonnyrigg White Eagles are working in close co-operation with Football NSW and the Fairfield local area command of the NSW Police Force to ensure orderly conduct is maintained and the match can proceed without disturbance caused by people outside of the sport,'' Mr Holmes said.

``There will be very restricted entry to the venue. The only persons who will be permitted to attend are paid up club members of the home team who prepurchase tickets. Identification will be required on match day for prepurchased tickets.''

Bonnyrigg will enforce a fan lock-out when the two clubs meet in the return leg at Bonnyrigg Sports Club in June. A decision on a potential finals lock-out if the two teams meet will be made later.
http://www.fairfieldchampion.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/lockouts-are-legacy-of-riots/1785300.aspx?storypage=0

Post-match tension rose when a car was bombed outside King Tomislav Club in Edensor Park and bullets were fired at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.

BWE and United Fans can not Guarantee that the game will not turn in to a race riot so regardless of who shot at who is Irrelevant.

The sooner BWE and United fans can put the old country and the personal feelings regarding their heritage behind them, the sooner they can get back to supporting their team.

This however is never gonig to happen as neither team is willing to let it go.

The sad thing is the majority of the fans on either side are ok and most know eachother. It's the younger ones who just like to hate anything Serb because they are Croatian and vice versa. It's really the minority that would like to cause trouble and it's really a shame.

The thing is its not what happens inside the ground thats the problem that can be controlled.It's what happens outside after the game. I suggested to my dad last night if they do play in the Semis, okay it at a neutral venue and keep one set of fans back for an hour after the game and give them a police escort.

This is the kind of thinking that needs to be done and something that can be brought up to the Football Supporters' Federation Australia that people from this forum are trying to get off the ground.

If a level of the top FTW (Ithink is the United Ultras) could get together and submit a plan of action and even meet with BWE (I don't know who their group is/was) and begin to build he bridge of friendship plus show active engagement to reduce the chance of rioting you may get back to have games in front of a good crowd.

The problem with the minorities creating the trouble is that the Mob takes on this persona and ruins it for the majority. Look at the hools at the easter Nats on Friday trashing the T-Mart dealership. it started with about 10 pissed off blokes and turned in to a large scale riot within minutes.

Unfortunately it's not as simple as just "leaving it in the old country" as people like to call it. The other favourite of mine is that these are "ancient ethnic hatreds". The "hatred" is really only recent and comments like this just reflect the ignorance of the average person.

This is the kind of thinking that needs to be done and something that can be brought up to the Football Supporters' Federation Australia that people from this forum are trying to get off the ground.

If a level of the top FTW (Ithink is the United Ultras) could get together and submit a plan of action and even meet with BWE (I don't know who their group is/was) and begin to build he bridge of friendship plus show active engagement to reduce the chance of rioting you may get back to have games in front of a good crowd.

The problem with the minorities creating the trouble is that the Mob takes on this persona and ruins it for the majority. Look at the hools at the easter Nats on Friday trashing the T-Mart dealership. it started with about 10 pissed off blokes and turned in to a large scale riot within minutes.

Not sure who youre referring to when you talk about FTW. There has never been a United group known by that abbreviation. BWE do not have an active supporters group these days.

What youre proposing is unrealistic

It's not an easy situation, but the game should NOT be locked out!

Do what Greece did. Home supporters only. Maybe members only? Even make up a 'temporary member' for this one match only. I am sure they can come up with solutions so that people may attend this match.

Must have got my Croatian clubs confused. BBB in SU orused to be.

What I'm proposing is no more unrealistic than what is currently happening within the Ausdtralian Bikie clubs. Just because there is no love between them, doesn't mean they can't fight for their rights to congregate.

As for the war, I can not speak for or against peoples feelings but i can guarantee that what happens at a SU V BWE game is not on the same scale as a Syd V Melb game.

The key to compramise is letting go of your pride and your ego, without this there is no point.

i think its the SWF your thinking about when you said FTW