NRL fans will be treated like soccer hooligans if the game doesn’t stamp out shocking brawls, Aussie sporting great warns
- Ex-Premier League star slammed the behavior of NRL fans
- Follows a series of incidents at football matches in recent weeks
- NRL could be forced to segregate fans like the A-League
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater has warned NRL fans in Europe will be treated like football hooligans and segregated at matches if the match does not stamp out shocking brawls between spectators.
It follows brawls between supporters at Allianz Stadium during the Rabbitohs versus Roosters clash on March 22, while fans from the same two Sydney clubs fought at Brookvale Oval almost a week earlier.
That followed a violent clash at the NRL season opener in Las Vegas earlier this month, where a Sea Eagles fan left Allegiant Stadium worse for wear after a messy brawl in the stands.
In 2022, there was another footy fan who attended the Broncos versus Bulldogs Anzac round game was punched into the stands, reportedly for shouting during the moment of silence before kick-off.
Moreover, ex-NRL star Owen Cunningham feared his son may have ‘ended up in a coma’ after being involved in a brawl at Suncorp Stadium that marred Magic Round the same year.
A Sea Eagles fan (right) was left bloodied as he watched his side play in Las Vegas during the season-opening double header earlier this month
Former Socceroos star Robbie Slater has warned NRL fans will be treated like football hooligans if the match does not stamp out brawls among spectators
The A-League match between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in December 2022 was abandoned after fans stormed the pitch and hooligans climbed the goalposts (pictured)
Slater said if the fighting – often fueled by alcohol – does not stop, fans will turn away from the NRL in droves.
“If rugby league thinks segregation cannot and will not happen, all they have to do is look at football because there is segregation in the A-League,” he said. News Corp.
“I’m a fan of the league, but if you don’t stop it (fan fighting), you’re going to lose fans.
“The NRL needs to nip this in the bud and hand out long-term bans, as football has done, for damaging the image of the sport.
‘Rugby League is on an astonishing upward trend when it comes to audiences. There has never been more interest in the game, but I know first-hand through the A-League that sponsors will pull out if the crowd violence continues.”
Slater’s call for a ban follows the pitch invasion by fans at AAMI Park when Melbourne Victory played Melbourne City in December 2022.
Goalkeeper Tom Glover was hit on the head with a metal bucket in horrific scenes and the match was abandoned due to the violence.
A number of supporters who stormed the pitch were later charged and given lifetime bans from the sport.
NSW Police continue to investigate the view from Allianz Stadium and have appealed to the general public to get in touch to identify the alleged offenders.