AN INCREASED fine, decreased lockout and a member’s respect and responsibility course was the verdict passed down to the Dandenong Thunder Soccer Club in its appeal against the rocket flare incident at AAMI Park in October.
The Thunder now has a $45,000 fine (up from $40,000) – with $15,000 owing because of their Victorian Premier League victory payment being put towards the fine – a seven home-game lockout until June 30, down from the original 10-game verdict of the preliminary tribunal.
FFV’s appellate tribunal, consisting of chairman of the board Kim Lovegrove, Mark Goldblatt and Jonathan Forbes, ruled to decrease the lockout but uphold the fine, citing a need to change the culture at the club and send a message to all spectators.
“Menacing behaviour that can potentially threaten life or limb – Our hands are tied; you can’t be philosophical or relaxed about that,” Lovegrove said.
“They’re your fold, they’re your consistency – you’ve got to bring them in to line.
“So you can go back with regards to these aberrant elements and say ‘look what you have done to us. Look how you’ve prejudiced our community of right minded, bona fide individuals, who give up their time and give to their community.’ “And this gives you the weapon to do that – a serious fine and a lockout scenario that’s not flippant.”
Dandenong also loses three championship points from the 2013 VPL season – a minimum penalty the tribunal had to enforce, despite their reticence to punish the Thunders’ players for the actions of the spectators.
The definition of ‘club associate’ remained the main point of the marathon five-hour appeal, with Dandenong advocate Leslie Glick SC claiming that as the spectators who launched the rocket flares could not be identified by AAMI Park security, the FFV or Victoria Police, under definition they were supporters of the home team – the Oakleigh Cannons.
The tribunal disagreed with the Thunder’s defence, saying that on account of the flares being launched after Dandenong goals were scored, and not during Oakleigh’s goal, the spectators were affiliated with Dandenong.
City of Greater Dandenong councillor Jim Memeti testified on behalf of the club, citing the damage the lockout and fine could have on not only the Dandenong Thunder, but the whole of the Dandenong community.
Memeti also said the council’s proposed $800,000 redevelopment of the Thunder’s George Andrews Reserve change-rooms was put in jeopardy based on the outcome of the appeal.
Dandenong Thunder spokesperson Cesar Jacupi said the punishment puts the club to the brink of closure with the financial costs of the lockout set to extend towards $200,000.
“You’re punishing everyone for two or three people who we don’t even know,” Jacupi said.“The police can’t even catch them.
“We’re going to punish the 1000 who do attend every game … the chair said this sends a message, but those guys don’t give a damn as they don’t come to regular games.The people who do that (launch the rocket flares) don’t have a conscience, so the punishment is misdirected.”
