FOOTBALL Mid North Coast has sent a clear message that any antisocial behaviour at venues will not be tolerated.
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Three spectators have been banned for two years, an unnamed Wallis Lake player has been suspended and the club will start the 2018 season on minus three points.
Another Wallis Lake player has appealed the severity of his punishment, while both teams have been hit with hefty fines.
The fallout continued on Tuesday from the abandoned Premier League preliminary final between Wallis and Macleay Valley Rangers on September 16.
The original match was abandoned due to an unsavoury incident that saw spectators invade the pitch before it spilled onto the playing surface.
Two Wallis Lake players played a part in their 2-0 win over Port United in the grand final.
FMNC chairman Mike Parsons said he empathised with the Port Macquarie-based side.
“I can’t turn the clock back, but I can empathise with Port United,” Parsons said.
Unfortunately we couldn’t deal with it all in the short timeline that may have suited teams like Port United.
- Football Mid North Coast chairman Mike Parsons
“But as chairman of FMNC I certainly stand behind the manner in which we’ve dealt with this in the best way practical under the governance of FFA and various other world sporting authorities in regards to disciplinary processes.”
Parsons admitted it wasn’t ideal the fallout had stretched into the off-season and still continues, pending appeals.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t deal with it all in the short timeline that may have suited teams like Port United,” he said.
Some Port United players remain frustrated that two of their opponents should not have played in the grand final.
“I empathise with those comments and if they are indeed genuine comments, but I’ve certainly not heard them,” Parsons said.
The message from Football Mid North Coast was a clear one that any sort of future transgressions would be dealt with accordingly.
“We won’t tolerate poor behaviour,” Parsons said.
Any retaliation of any effect really is not acceptable in society in general let alone the game of football.
- Mike Parsons
“We won’t tolerate unsporting behaviour and we certainly don’t condone any retaliation that’s excessive of the initial action.
“Any retaliation of any effect really is not acceptable in society in general let alone the game of football.
“Spectator invasions and participation in on-field altercations are non-negotiable.
“They’re just certainly not part of our game and I think we’ve made a clear stand there.”
Parsons also felt the situation had been handled “in the best way possible.”
“I guess from various points of view it’s never going to be a harmonious or acceptable outcome, but I think we’ve dealt with it in a proper and judicious manner,” he said.
I don’t believe it’s either fair or unfair – it’s the way the process has gone and that’s the reality.
- Mike Parsons
“I’d also suggest that you play who you play and results are what they are.
“It’s the way it is. I don’t believe it’s either fair or unfair – it’s the way the process has gone and that’s the reality.”