Arabic version: رئيس واندررز يدين معاملة الشرطة للمشجعين

According to ABC News, Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Paul Lederer has condemned what he called the “totally unacceptable” treatment and over-policing of the club’s supporters this season, saying he will seek answers from police.

The Red and Black Bloc, the Wanderers’ active supporter group, staged a silent protest during the opening 20 minutes of Saturday’s goalless A-League Men draw with Macarthur at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. The group displayed banners reading “Stand Up For Fans. Not Police Demands” and said NSW Police had directed it to surrender drums, a megaphone and banners two hours before kick-off.

In a statement released on Monday, Lederer said repeated issues involving supporters had reached a “tipping point”. He said fans should not feel like “second-class citizens” because they support a football club, adding that the club was seeking equal treatment and common sense rather than special treatment.

Lederer cited hundreds of fans being held from entering the Sydney derby for up to 30 minutes, as well as the presence of up to 20 public order and riot squad officers behind Wanderers supporter bays in Campbelltown. He said the policing added to intimidation felt by families that largely make up the club’s supporter base, and argued there was no justification for a riot squad presence at football matches.

While stressing that the Wanderers did not condone anti-social behaviour, Lederer said most supporters were not a problem and deserved respect. He said the club would continue raising concerns with NSW Police, the A-Leagues and relevant stakeholders in pursuit of fair, consistent and respectful treatment. Macarthur coach Sasa Ognenovski and Wanderers coach Ufuk Talay also backed the fans’ cause. AAP contacted the APL and NSW Police for comment.