One of the A-League's most prominent active support groups says it will “cease the co-ordination of organised support indefinitely”.
Melbourne Victory’s North Terrace issued a statement on Monday night criticising the “current culture and environment” imposed on fans.
The group has endured long-running battle with the club, stadium security and police over the expression of active support.
Monday night’s announcement comes on the eve of the club's crunch FFA Cup semi-final showdown with derby rivals City.
It also follows an incident during Victory’s recent 4-1 derby loss when a person was booed and identified by other supporters for ripping a flare.
In the aftermath, Football Federation Australia slapped Victory with an official reprimand but pointed to the incident as proof that attitude to the use of pyro was changing.
“The collective focus of FFA, clubs, players and true football fans is to work together to eliminate all forms of anti-social behaviour, including flares,” A-League boss Greg O’Rourke said at the time.
“We need to be clear that a recurrence of the incident where flares are ignited in the Melbourne Victory fans area may leave FFA with no alternative other than to deduct points from the club.”
North Terrace has a pessimistic view about the current environment for fans and took to social media to explain their decision:
“Due to the current unworkable circumstances present at Melbourne Victory matches in Victoria, the North Terrace has resolved to cease the co-ordination of organised support indefinitely, as the values the North Terrace were founded on are no longer reflected in the current culture and environment.
"All fans wishing to continue to support within the designated active areas will not be aligned with the North Terrace identity. All materials and leadership will not be present at future matches.”
Football supporters took to Twitter to vent their sorrow and anger over the situation.
Sad day for Australian football. FFA and clubs are destroying Active Support in this country.
— Anthony Yacoub (@TrickyFC) October 24, 2016
Memories that will live on forever. @NTMelbourne #MVFC pic.twitter.com/C4K9Wj5s5j
— Alex (@Almania94) October 24, 2016
No @NTMelbourne equals no @gomvfc. North terrace is what sold me to the sport and the Victory with out them this club is nothing. #MVFC
— Marc Vella (@marc_vella) October 24, 2016
What a day. Sad it may never be like this again.https://t.co/7JuYBJaYTn
— Laurence (@LaurenceRosen) October 24, 2016
Just a big shout out to anyone on here that made @NTMelbourne possible over the least 12 years. It's been a blast
— Tom Bell (@TomRBlike) October 24, 2016
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