Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today found the Western Sydney Wanderers FC guilty of bringing the game into disrepute through the actions of its supporters following the display of an unauthorised and highly offensive banner at last Saturday night’s Sydney Derby at ANZ Stadium.

FFA has also confirmed that Western Sydney Wanderers fans identified as being responsible for concealing, assembling and displaying the banner, some of whom have had their memberships suspended by the Club, will be put through the FFA Banning Process.

After considering the Club’s response to the Show Cause Notice, Western Sydney Wanderers have been fined $20,000.

FFA took into account the following measures undertaken by the Western Sydney Wanderers in its official response to the Show Cause Notice and public statements. FFA supports these measures and will work with the club to ensure they are enforced:

The Western Sydney Wanderers suspended the membership of 14 individuals from the Red & Black Bloc (RBB) active supporter group for all matches.

Western Sydney Wanderers will require the members they have suspended to undertake a recognised social inclusion program approved by the Club prior to any re-admission to Wanderers matches before their club-enforced bans can be lifted.

Western Sydney Wanderers will monitor all media platforms for any further breach of the Spectator Code of Behaviour with a view to shutting down the Active Area if there is a further breach

Western Sydney Wanderers will monitor the actions of the fans at matches for any further breach of the Spectator Code of Behaviour with a view to shutting down the Active Area if there is a further breach.

“The actions of the Western Sydney Wanderers spectators responsible for displaying the banner and the ensuing celebration of the banner on social media were completely unacceptable,” said Head of the Hyundai A-League Greg O’Rourke.

“While we have noted and were pleased with the positive proactive measures undertaken by the Western Sydney Wanderers the fine reflects the fact clubs are responsible for the actions of their spectators and managing the approval of the game day banners and activities of their Active Fan Groups.”

FFA commends the Wanderers for acknowledgement that the club must carry responsibility for the actions of its fans.

FFA is working with the venue and security authorities to review other incidents of anti social behaviour from both Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers supporters at the Sydney Derby and will apply the FFA Banning Process to identified individuals.

“We have more than 60,000 spectators attend Hyundai A-League venues each and every week in our season,” O’Rourke said. “We will continue to work with our clubs, venues, security and the police authorities to create a safe and secure environment that is not affected by the anti-social actions of a few.”