Fourteen Western Sydney Wanderers fans were banned after a homophobic banner was unfurled during the last Sydney Derby game.

Western Sydney have also threatened to completely shut down support group RBB should they continue to be involved in such behaviour.

The Incident

For those that have been living under a rock, the banner depicted Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold engaging in oral sex.

That banner displayed by WSW “fans” last night is dumbfounding. Fails just about every test of decency. What on earth were they thinking? — Rick Eyre (@rickeyre) February 19, 2017

The Punishment

The club’s statement says:

Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club have today suspended the membership of 14 individuals from the Red & Black Bloc (RBB) active supporter group following their role in the display of an unauthorised banner at the match on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium.

The Club is in the process of issuing banning notices to these 14 individuals for a period of 18 months across all competitions.

CCTV footage from both before and during the event has been reviewed. As a result, 14 individuals have been identified as taking part in concealing, assembling and displaying the banner on Saturday night.

For the purpose of clarity, these are not Football Federation Australia or venue bans. They are club enforced bans.

As part of the banning notices, Western Sydney Wanderers will also require those involved to undertake a recognised social inclusion program approved by the club. This will need to take place prior to any re-admission to Wanderers matches.

RBB Standing Firm

For their part, the Red and Black Bloc are not backing down.

“We find it ironic that it takes the FFA barely 24 hours to respond to a banner deemed offensive, but takes over 12 months to even commence an appeal process agreed upon in December 2015. Clearly football in this country is in the wrong hands.” – RBB

The Victim

Arnold has said that whilst he has a thick skin, his family has been very upset by the banner.

“Look, for me, does it bother me at all? No, I’ve got thick skin and I’ve been in this game for 30-odd years and I’ve been called a lot worse and been through tougher times,” he said.

“But I think it’s completely inappropriate for my children, my family (to see that). On top of that, all those young kids who turned up with their parents to watch the game. I don’t think it has any place in Australian sport.”

The CEO

Club CEO John Tsatsimas isn’t happy with the fan group to put it lightly.

“This incident involved key leaders of the RBB who have shown no remorse for their actions of bringing our club and the game of football into disrepute and have continued to flaunt their disdain for the club and our diverse and inclusive membership family further on social media.”

by Michael T. Lynch – contributor