FOOTBALL Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop says a fan who racially abused Wellington Phoenix star Paul Ifill is unlikely to face criminal charges but will be banned from games once police have identified him.
Facing his toughest moment since starting his new job five weeks ago, former NRL boss Gallop came out strongly after reports emerged of Ifill being abused during the Adelaide United-Wellington Phoenix match at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday and crowd behaviour issues at Saturday's Sydney FC-Western Sydney Wanderers derby at Allianz Stadium.
Phoenix's Barbados international Ifill claimed he was abused by a fan who allegedly sang a racially offensive song and taunted him with what was believed to be monkey chants as he walked off the field after being replaced during the second half.
The Sydney derby was marred by fans throwing flares on to the pitch during the match, while there were reports of a disturbance involving Western Sydney fans at a train station. Police said three arrests were made following the throwing of flares.
Gallop said the fan who made the racist comments would be banned and that fans who threw flares on to the pitch on Saturday night could "expect a ban and a knock on the door from police".
The crowd disturbance made the main television news bulletins on Sunday night but was overtaken yesterday by the incident involving Ifill, who took to Twitter to voice his anger.
"A few things (were said) that were blatantly racist that I'd rather not repeat," he tweeted.
"To be fair I believe it's an isolated incident. Have to say its a first for me in the A-League."
Gallop said fans who engaged in racist comments "must know they will get banned if they engage in that kind of thing".
"Football wants to celebrate its multiculturalism, its diversity and that kind of taunt is not on," he said. "We've seen overseas that there can be criminal sanctions in relation to that, but at this stage (in Australia) it's dealt with as a ban and those bans must be taken seriously."
Despite the drama, South Australian Police said that as of late yesterday, it had not received any formal complaints from Adelaide United or Wellington Phoenix and suggested it would be difficult to prosecute someone for making racist comments.
Unlike England, where it is possible to be charged for making racially offensive comments, the laws in Australia are not as clear.
Gallop said both clubs and FFA were working with the police to try to identify the culprit or culprits. It is understood a section of reserved seating at Hindmarsh Stadium is the focus of official investigations.
Adelaide and Wellington issued short statements yesterday.
United said: "The club does not condone the reported spectator behaviour. The club is assisting stadium management and FFA with its investigation and will support any sanction imposed on the guilty party."
Wellington said it had formally approached FFA yesterday morning asking it for "its assistance in ensuring that the incident is fully investigated".
"We have been in communication with Adelaide United and have accepted the club's unequivocal apology," Phoenix said. "We are satisfied that Adelaide United, the FFA and the South Australian Police are taking all the appropriate steps necessary."
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