Dear FFA,
I am writing this letter to you as I am very disappointed to learn of your recent decision to once again hype up levels of security in a most non productive and demeaning way.
Last week at the major semi final in Newcastle, my children, my father, my mother in law, my friends and I, watched in disbelief as security were consistently both rude and ruthless in their treatment of Australian families and other HAL football supporters, their attitudes bordering on the surreal... And now I learn that a further war/crack down on the supporters has been declared by the FFA, who are seeking among other absurdities, to stamp out the deadly crepe paper streamer, and ensure such things as that the team supporter groups only have 1 drum... because lets face it, two would be absolute pandemonium! The crepe paper streamers, have been used all year by the Central Coast supporter group the Marinators - and is an opening ceremony highlight to the other 15 thousand odd other fans who are regularly watching, of which I am one. Rumour says your restriction is because you are unwilling to foot any extra clean up bill that may arise form having to pick up streamers? I'm sorry but I thought I was spending $200 on tickets to a major semi final, and not for my daughters school swimming carnival. (Though I think they allow streamers actually) So I find it hard to comprehend that the FFA could surely be so petty and short sighted as to help maim the very spectacle, colour and festivities of your own growing league, when this self same atmosphere is one of the key reasons for the aforementioned growth.
Ahhh, but now I have also heard wind that the official stance on the reasoning behind this policy is "fear of litigation" This to any with an ounce of common sense is simply insulting. Do your lawyers really feel they are in danger of both receiving a complaint and then losing a case against someone litigating because they got hit by a crepe paper streamer? Is their legal precedent for a fan taking the FFA to court for being maliciously struck down by a crepe paper streamer? There have literally been thousands thrown this year, has there been an injury? Many lawsuits forthcoming? I suggest further consultation with different council is necessary though I'm sure inconvenient. If it would help, in the name of science and forward thinking i would be only to happy to stand at the front of your board room whlle your entire executive and team of lawyers can take turns hurling paper streamers at me with as much wild abandon as they can muster - as I am more than 100% confident I will remain completely unharmed. Honestly, for shame, perhaps you should be done with it and remove all soccerballs from the field of play as they present a far greater danger of braining someone than a paper streamer does.
I own five successful businesses on the NSW central coast. I have a large family, and one of our great calendar joys is now the Hyundai A League fixtures. However, I do not like having my family or anyone else for that matter treated in way which is disrespectful and heavy handed and this I am sorry to say, I now suspect is purely a reflection of the stance and attitude being taken by the FFA. Leadership runs from the top down, you set the bar and the moral fabric for this league, and by taking what can only be interpreted as a heavy handed and short sighted approach towards your loyal customers, you do not do the league, the supporters or yourselves any credit whatsoever.
I can only hope that sounder reasoning and a greater level competence will be shown in the future, and call upon you to reverse such absurd and insulting restrictions and blanket policies. I would also humbly suggest that you instead place your efforts into the much need educating and skilling of security and perhaps of the employment of clearer headed and more insightful staff that will better serve you and us in the future.
Sincerely,