South Melbourne FC is seeking legal advice regarding the decision by Football Federation Victoria (FFV) last week to forfeit the club's Foxtel Cup match on the weekend and award the three points to its opponent.
In a statement released exclusively to www.au.fourfourtwo.com, the club details its plans to challenge the decision and take it to the courts. It reads...
"South Melbourne FC is disappointed with the FFV’s decision to forfeit the round 6 fixture against the Melbourne Knights due to a security arrangement dispute.
Given events at this year’s Australian Tennis Open and the FINA world swimming championships, along with previous incidents involving the Melbourne Knights SC, South Melbourne FC acted on advice from Victoria Police and elected to limit entry to the round 6 Foxtel Cup match to “South Melbourne FC members only”.
These arrangements were deemed unacceptable by the FFV, who wished to dictate and impose alternative security arrangements for the fixture.
The FFV insisted the above mentioned game, be open to all fans which would have resulted in close to 30 police, 25 security guards and 6 ground marshals being required with the onus of costs being borne by South Melbourne FC.
South Melbourne FC found such an imposition to be unreasonable, mainly due to the fact that if it had accepted these arrangements, the club was not indemnified against any incident or fallout from the match.
As a consequence of the FFV unable to provide indemnity for the above mentioned fixture to South Melbourne FC, the club was left with no option but to reject the proposed security arrangements in order to safeguard its interests.
South Melbourne FC’s preferred security arrangements were consistent with previous FFV directives for “high risk” matches which required SMFC to implement a “South Melbourne FC members only” door policy.
Such a policy has proven to be successful in the previous 2 years and was favourably looked upon and preferred by Victoria Police due to efficient resource allocation and reduced risk.
South Melbourne FC believed that as venue managers of BJS, any security arrangements are the responsibility of the venue operators (SMFC), as they have the legal responsibility for the stadium and the safety of its patrons, as do other Victorian Premier League clubs. South Melbourne FC wishes to act responsibly and is committed to promoting the safety and enjoyment of participants and spectators at the venue.
South Melbourne FC can ill afford to have any external parties indirectly/directly controlling the venue without having legal recourse against it.
South Melbourne FC will be vigorously challenging the FFV’s decision to forfeit the above mentioned game and is currently seeking legal advice to challenge the decision in the courts."
"South Melbourne FC is disappointed with the FFV’s decision to forfeit the round 6 fixture against the Melbourne Knights due to a security arrangement dispute.
Given events at this year’s Australian Tennis Open and the FINA world swimming championships, along with previous incidents involving the Melbourne Knights SC, South Melbourne FC acted on advice from Victoria Police and elected to limit entry to the round 6 Foxtel Cup match to “South Melbourne FC members only”.
These arrangements were deemed unacceptable by the FFV, who wished to dictate and impose alternative security arrangements for the fixture.
The FFV insisted the above mentioned game, be open to all fans which would have resulted in close to 30 police, 25 security guards and 6 ground marshals being required with the onus of costs being borne by South Melbourne FC.
South Melbourne FC found such an imposition to be unreasonable, mainly due to the fact that if it had accepted these arrangements, the club was not indemnified against any incident or fallout from the match.
As a consequence of the FFV unable to provide indemnity for the above mentioned fixture to South Melbourne FC, the club was left with no option but to reject the proposed security arrangements in order to safeguard its interests.
South Melbourne FC’s preferred security arrangements were consistent with previous FFV directives for “high risk” matches which required SMFC to implement a “South Melbourne FC members only” door policy.
Such a policy has proven to be successful in the previous 2 years and was favourably looked upon and preferred by Victoria Police due to efficient resource allocation and reduced risk.
South Melbourne FC believed that as venue managers of BJS, any security arrangements are the responsibility of the venue operators (SMFC), as they have the legal responsibility for the stadium and the safety of its patrons, as do other Victorian Premier League clubs. South Melbourne FC wishes to act responsibly and is committed to promoting the safety and enjoyment of participants and spectators at the venue.
South Melbourne FC can ill afford to have any external parties indirectly/directly controlling the venue without having legal recourse against it.
South Melbourne FC will be vigorously challenging the FFV’s decision to forfeit the above mentioned game and is currently seeking legal advice to challenge the decision in the courts."
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