SYDNEY: Football Federation Australia was facing a fan revolt Wednesday with plans to boycott A-League games as fury grows over the publication of a confidential list of supporters banned from stadiums around the country.
Anger has been mounting since News Corp Australia last week published names and photos of 198 banned A-League fans, labelling some as "louts" on a par with the worst elements of European soccer hooliganism.
What started as discontent over a privacy breach has turned into a backlash against FFA for what supporters consider its heavy-handedness in dealing with the issue and a lack of support for not defending fans over perceived biased media coverage.
Fans at one of the best-supported clubs in the league, Western Sydney Wanderers, said they would boycott Saturday's match gainst Brisbane Roar, describing FFA boss David Gallop's response to the furore as "shambolic".
"This is the only way to continue sending a strong message to the FFA that we will not stand for their inept administration of our game," a Facebook statement from supporter group Red and Black Bloc said.
"The FFA cannot use the fans as a marketing tool but then continually mistreat them, while asking them to help grow the game."
Supporters have long held reservations over FFA's security policy, which provides banned spectators with no avenue for appeal. Several of those on the leaked list feel they have been wrongly banned.
The group said boycotts would continue until Gallop and A-League head Damien De Bohun presented active supporter groups with a transparent ban appeals process agreed upon by all parties.
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