DailyExpertNews
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The New South Wales Jewish Council of Deputies has called on Football Australia to issue lifelong suspensions to fans who displayed Nazi symbols and salutes during the Australia Cup final on Saturday night.
On Sunday, Football Australia said it will review all video footage and images at its disposal from Saturday night’s Australia Cup final in Sydney, after it was widely reported that some fans gave “the Nazi salute”.
At Commbank Stadium, a near-record 16,461 people watched as Macarthur FC defeated Sydney United 58 2-0.
But the match was marred by “antisocial behaviour” and eight people were kicked out of the stadium during the final, Football Australia said in a statement.
According to reports in Australian media, some fans chanted and booed at the Welcome To Country ceremony, a sacred Indigenous tradition.
Photos on social media also appeared to show the Nazi salute being given by some supporters of Sydney United 58, a club founded in 1958 by Croatian immigrants.
Football Australia, the sport’s governing body, said it would hold talks with Sydney United 58 and warned the club and individual fans could face sanctions.
Sydney United 58 did not immediately respond to DailyExpertNews’s request for comment.
In its statement, Football Australia said it “strongly condemns the actions of a small minority of individuals who engaged in conduct inconsistent with Football Australia’s values and the wider expectations of the community.”
It added: “Football Australia is today reviewing all images and images available of certain individuals of interest to our organization and the wider Australian football community, including displaying the ‘Hitler salute’.”
The governing body said it was “working closely” with stadium management and the New South Wales Police Department and would take “vigorous and swift action”.
Darren Bark, chief executive of NSW’s Jewish Council of Representatives, said in a statement to DailyExpertNews: “These despicable symbols and greetings have no place in modern Australian society. They represent the ultimate manifestation of evil – an evil that led to the murder of millions of innocent civilians during World War II, including six million Jews and thousands of Australian diggers who lost their lives fighting the Nazis during World War II.”
He added that the board, “urges the governing body to take firm action against any fan who has participated in these acts, including implementing lifetime bans.”
“Football Australia should also work with Sydney United to address the disturbing stances revered by some of its fans,” he continued.
The crowd noise during the Welcome to Country conducted by Erin Wilkins before the match “reached an unacceptable level”, Football Australia acknowledged.
“We regret that this happened and are reviewing all available images and audio to further analyze the incident,” a statement said.
“Football Australia has been in direct contact with Erin Wilkins during and since the game and will continue to advise her and Football Australia’s National Indigenous Advisory Group on this matter.”
Craig Foster, former player for Sydney United and Australia, tweeted: “Everyone involved must be held accountable, including the club.”
Football Australia co-CEOs Beau Busch and Kathryn Gill said in a statement: “On the pitch, the game reflected the universal values of fairness, respect and courage that should define our sport. Sadly, these values were shattered in the stands. .”
The statement added: “Our sport needs to respond now and the players are committed to play an important role. An effective response will not be developed by focusing on whether or not these actions are caused by a minority.”