Club member warns more needs to be done to stop violence in the sport after amateur game abandoned

A prominent member at one of Perth’s largest soccer clubs is warning that the bad behaviour of players and its members is destroying the sport in WA. UWA Nedlands FC vice-president Mark Reid is calling for more action against clubs after an amateur fixture was abandoned at half-time due to fears of violence. “I know if we don’t deal with this someone will be killed one weekend in the not-too-distant future,” he said. “I have two children who absolutely love soccer but it’s not about soccer any more. I honestly can’t encourage them to play soccer in Perth any more.” Tensions were high in last Saturday’s State League Division 1 clash between hosts Gwelup Croatia and Rockingham City FC which was called off at 1-1 after both sides got on the scoresheet early. The visitors responded in the 14th minute when Ruben Joseph’s run from the right found the back of the net, would be the start of a number of flying challenges that afternoon — especially targeting the in-form striker. Rockingham’s claim for a goal that hit the crossbar was dismissed two minutes into stoppage time as officials were adamant the ball never crossed the goal line. Seven West Media’s premier community sport streaming platform Streamer — which was positioned right next to both clubs’ benches, heard the voices of kids who attended the game as well as profanities hurled by members. The West Australian understands that as the players headed for the dugout when the half-time whistle was blown, a ball was kicked at another player while bottles were thrown, including from spectators and junior players. Both sides were slapped with an $800 fine and warned not to behave in that manner again in the future. The 1-1 score was registered as the final result. “The referee took the decision following a series of physical altercations between the two sets of players, both during play and after the half-time whistle,” a Football West spokesperson said. “There were no injuries suffered — however the match official ended the game to avoid the risk of further incidents.” Mr Reid said Football West’s “inaction” against both clubs proves they are destroying football in WA. He also took aim at the soccer body’s new Three Strikes Policy which was introduced this year to hold clubs accountable for bad behaviour against referees. “The fact that these things happened in front of children . . . (and) the fact that people were throwing bottles in itself is a disgrace,” he said. “FW’s new policy means clubs can have three strikes — or violent acts before someone actually intervenes. It has nothing to do with the book being thrown as nothing is done to address violence on the pitch.” In May this year, soccer fans were slammed following an off-field incident between Rockingham City and Mandurah City after footage revealed a player was pelted by a beer bottle thrown from the stands. But only a month before that, both Gwelup Croatia and Dianella White Eagles were hit with a no-spectator ban for their subsequent three home games after a 29-year-old man allegedly struck another man in the head with a glass bottle.