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Craig Foster has condemned the scenes that marred the Australia Cup final as ‘horrific’ and urged the sport’s governing body to issue an ‘extremely strong’ response to the incidents.
Macarthur’s 2-0 win over Sydney United 58 was overshadowed by an unsavory spectacle at CommBank Stadium on Saturday, with some of the United fans signing the entire national anthem.
Erin Wilkins’ pre-game Welcome to Country ceremony was drowned out by loud booing and singing.
Sydney United fans would have booed and sang during the Welcome to Country
After the match started, videos and photos on social media showed several Sydney United fans singing fascist songs and what appeared to be Nazi salutes.
Foster said on Stan Sport FC on Tuesday that the Australian football community had to show its determination at a delicate time for the sport.
“It’s the most repulsive thing we’ve seen at a football game in a long time,” said the former Socceroos captain.
“The most important thing is that the game responds adequately and that means extremely strong.”
Foster noted that Australian football has historically been plagued by a “defensiveness” that often prevented it from confronting its demons, but urged the governing body to respond decisively.
“The point is that something horrific has happened here and the game has to be big enough, strong enough and committed enough to its own principles, to take the absolute most powerful action that can possibly be taken,” he continued.
“So there is now an investigation and of course a life ban for these individuals is a given, if not criminal prosecution. But what’s really important is that the game ensures that this research is thorough.’
Sydney United’s wonder run to the final was the story of the competition this season until Saturday, when they became the first National Premier League team to reach the final.
Sydney United, a powerhouse of the old National Soccer League, defeated the heavyweights of the A-League, Western United and Brisbane Roar.
Formerly known as Sydney Croatia, Sydney United has long been a focal point for the Croatian community in Sydney and beyond.
However, some elements of the club’s hardcore support – the Sydney United Supporters group (SUS) – have been depicted giving Roman salutes and carrying flags showing white supremacy and fascist imagery.
SUS members have also sung songs in praise of the Ustaše – an ultra-nationalist far-right organization that, from 1929 to 1945, supported the creation of a greater and “racially pure Croatia.”
Several Sydney United fans appeared to be giving the Nazi salute during the match
The scenes on Saturday felt particularly close to home for Foster, who played a season for Sydney United.
“I played for what used to be called Sydney Croatia, and we all have a great feeling for the club and the legends that have come through it,” he said.
‘But this can’t happen’ […] it’s not good enough for the game to just say, “Well, there’s some bad apples here doing terrible things and then we’ll move on.”
“The game has to be incredibly strong, it’s an opportunity for leadership from everyone in the game.” […] There is a line here that this has crossed and everyone is now being held accountable.”
Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster has urged Australian football to crack down on those found guilty of racism and Nazi salute
On the same show, former Socceroos star Mark Bosnich said the behavior of some Sydney United fans should be “completely eradicated” from the game.
Bosnich, who is of Croatian descent and played for Sydney United himself, also warned that the behavior of some Sydney United fans should not be used as a stick with which to beat the Croatian community and football supporters.
“The Nazi salute and the Nazi iconography, it must be eradicated,” Bosnich said.
“This is something that has caused a lot of people a lot of pain and needs to be eradicated completely. It is important not to paint all Australian Croats and all football supporters with the same brush.
Sydney United fans dominated the 16,461 crowd at CommBank Stadium on Saturday
Sydney United fans created a feverish atmosphere at CommBank Stadium, but some of them crossed the line when they gave the Nazi salute and booed the national anthem.
Formerly known as Sydney Croatia, Sydney United has long been a focal point for the Croatian community in Sydney and beyond
And it is also up to the Croatian-Australian supporters not to be put down by what has happened. Completely eradicate it, don’t want to see it in life, let alone in my sport.”
Football Australia (FA) pledged to take strong action in response to ‘anti-social behaviour’ by some supporters in the 16,461 crowd dominated by Sydney United supporters.
Meanwhile, New South Wales Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet said the behavior of some supporters at Parramatta’s site was “absolutely appalling” and called for a lifetime ban.
New South Wales Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet has called for a life ban on some fans
“It doesn’t belong, not just at sports games, but all over our state, and I know the police are looking at it,” Perrottet told reporters.
“Those people who did that with those salutes should be banned for life.”
Foster echoed Perrottet’s tough stance: “The message is simple. You’re not part of us, we don’t want you, don’t come back.’