Rogue fans may get collared in undercover sting

[The Colonel]

Rogue fans may get collared in undercover sting


9/07/2008 11:58:44 PM


UNDERCOVER security officers may be used at future Parramatta home games in an attempt to identify and prosecute fans who abuse players and match officials following the racial abuse of Petero Civoniceva.

The Parramatta Stadium Trust is urging a decisive response to last Sunday's events, which included a stream of abuse directed at those involved in the game.

"A lot of spectators have come forward to say this sort of verbal abuse goes on all the time - constant abuse of players, the referee and linesmen," trust venue manager Luke Coleman said. "If we start accepting that as the norm, then I think society has something to answer for."

Coleman said racial abuse was the worst of it. "It's despicable really," he said. "I just think this incident requires decisive action from all parties - from the NRL, the club, from the trust, the police and the security personnel."

While closed-circuit TV cameras helped identify those accused of abusing the Panthers prop, the cameras cannot prove that abusive language was used. Coleman said undercover security officers could be the answer.

"This would be an independent person who could identify the worst offenders and then act as a witness. These people can be charged under the Summary Offences Act as well as our act," Coleman said. "We'll be looking at it, with the consent of Eels management, for the next game."

However, Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald was concerned about the cost of the initiative, and said he would would need to talk to NSW Police before approving the measure. "At this stage, I don't think it is [necessary] but we won't rule anything out," he said.

Coleman said had the offenders been positively identified last Sunday, they would have been removed immediately. "Patrons at Parramatta Stadium are put on notice that any person identified as responsible for yelling out, using offensive and abusive language will be prosecuted," he warned.
Andrew Stevenson

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http://www.leaguehq.com.au/articles/2008/07/09/1215282927064.html

 

[Frank_Grimes]

That's one way to boost attendance records.

 

[Timmah]

That's one way to boost attendance records.

As opposed to allowing players to be racially vilified?

 

[mattyg]

Whats the point of this when security can't even do their job in the first place. It appears clear that security were alerted to this idiot who abused Petero and they took no action. It's only good to take this measure if the security guards are actually going to do something when an incident occurs.

 

[smeghead]

So you won't be able to abuse officials anymore?????

There is a line as far as what is acceptable as far as not villifying them for race etc but reffs etc copping it from the fans is part of the tribalism of the game

 

[Junior Bunny]

Freedom of speech my arse.

 

[aids]

time to bring out the obtuse colloquiums

 

[Mayor_Quimby]

just relocate the eels to somewhere, where trash doesn't congregate.....maybe Adelaide

 

[Johnny Bravo]

As opposed to allowing players to be racially vilified?

At the risk of being percieved as naiive or insensitive, no one should take the following comments the wrong way...

However, I don't understand how calling someone a "monkey" is racially villifying someone. I have seen the word used in many different contexts when being used to describe someone. The most common being similar to calling someone a "clown", as in they're a fool or an idiot. Only since the Symonds incident has this really come to the fore.

Are we as a society so sensitive that being called a variety of animal hurts us emotionally? Not likely. I'm not saying it was or wasn't a racial slur, but even if it was, I don't understand why people take it to heart. It's no different to calling them an idiot, it's just an insult to try and get under your skin. Why pay attention to idiots in the crowd who want to hurl abuse your way? It happens everywhere. I can't see how yelling out "monkey" in a crowd is so much more offensive than the vast array of expletives you hear from idiots in the crowd yelling out at playes, in fact it's pretty damn subdued compared to most of the garbage that comes out of some peoples mouthes.

If clubs are serious about banning troublesome fans, they shouldn't just be targetting those are percieved as being racially abusive, they should be targetting anyone who gets abusive. To be honest, the way australian sport is heading, we seem to be going down the path of the US where many common words, if someone from another ethnic background takes offence, it automatically becomes a racial slur and any further use of that word is heavily frowned upon.

Regarding Fitzgerald not accepting the apology, saying they weren't taking full responsibility, who is he to say what their intentions were. If they called him a n****r or something that could not be perceived any other way, then it is a fair comment. However, if what their story is, holds true, he is essentially telling them that they should declare themselves as a racist, even when those words were not with that intent.

** DISCLAIMER **
By no means do I support what those idiots said in the crowd.

 

[Timmah]

It's been reported that the person in question was a member of the Australia-Assyrian community also, if I recall correctly.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

In all my travels I have only met maybe one or two security officers who have the intelligence and the practical application of common sense to handle the job as mentioned in that article.

I would have little faith in the right personnel being sourced.

 

[Lego_Man]

At a time when the game is struggling for coin, above all this strikes me as a complete waste of money...money that could be spent on far better things than undercover Hitlers patrolling at RL games.

It's also pretty Orwellian in nature.

 

[Parra]

There are many worse things to be called and we have all heard them yelled out at footy matches since the year dot. Doesn't make it right - but it's a fact.

What was said was racist. Much worse is said every single match. Doesn't make it right - but it's a fact.

This whole thing is a massive over reaction. Doesn't make it right - but it's a fact.

 

[Canard]

At the risk of being percieved as naiive or insensitive, no one should take the following comments the wrong way...

However, I don't understand how calling someone a "monkey" is racially villifying someone. I have seen the word used in many different contexts when being used to describe someone. The most common being similar to calling someone a "clown", as in they're a fool or an idiot. Only since the Symonds incident has this really come to the fore.

Are we as a society so sensitive that being called a variety of animal hurts us emotionally? Not likely. I'm not saying it was or wasn't a racial slur, but even if it was, I don't understand why people take it to heart. It's no different to calling them an idiot, it's just an insult to try and get under your skin. Why pay attention to idiots in the crowd who want to hurl abuse your way? It happens everywhere. I can't see how yelling out "monkey" in a crowd is so much more offensive than the vast array of expletives you hear from idiots in the crowd yelling out at playes, in fact it's pretty damn subdued compared to most of the garbage that comes out of some peoples mouthes.

If clubs are serious about banning troublesome fans, they shouldn't just be targetting those are percieved as being racially abusive, they should be targetting anyone who gets abusive. To be honest, the way australian sport is heading, we seem to be going down the path of the US where many common words, if someone from another ethnic background takes offence, it automatically becomes a racial slur and any further use of that word is heavily frowned upon.

Regarding Fitzgerald not accepting the apology, saying they weren't taking full responsibility, who is he to say what their intentions were. If they called him a n****r or something that could not be perceived any other way, then it is a fair comment. However, if what their story is, holds true, he is essentially telling them that they should declare themselves as a racist, even when those words were not with that intent.

** DISCLAIMER **
By no means do I support what those idiots said in the crowd.

Thats the sort of attitude that allows casual racism to be accepted in society.

To call someone a "monkey" and "get back in your tree" is not cool dude, you know that, we all know that.

 

[Cletus]

I can't believe people are defending it, what it is is evoking years of predjudice that have been directed against their family for the last however many. As an example if you call someone a n****r you're saying "we used to own you, rape you kill you and nothing would happen". It's not as simple as the usual fighting words.

 

[no name]

Fatty's mate might have a new gig.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

Thats the sort of attitude that allows casual racism to be accepted in society.

To call someone a "monkey" and "get back in your tree" is not cool dude, you know that, we all know that.

Perhaps you have misunderstood what I was saying, by no means am I supporting what they said. However, who is to know that it was intended as a racist taunt? I was merely stating that it's a word that is used in many different contexts, more often than not, it is not used in a racial manner. Is calling a player a monkey so much worse than calling another player a cat? If clubs and the NRL are banning these blokes for their comments, then they should go further and ban anyone who verbally abuses any player, in any manner. Because that is effectively what they are doing.

I for one would applaud such a move, as it'd make games a far more enjoyable experience for families. But alas, saying something that is perceived as being racist is so much worse than just calling a player every name under the sun.

 

[muznik]

Perhaps you have misunderstood what I was saying, by no means am I supporting what they said. However, who is to know that it was intended as a racist taunt? I was merely stating that it's a word that is used in many different contexts, more often than not, it is not used in a racial manner. Is calling a player a monkey so much worse than calling another player a cat? If clubs and the NRL are banning these blokes for their comments, then they should go further and ban anyone who verbally abuses any player, in any manner. Because that is effectively what they are doing.

I for one would applaud such a move, as it'd make games a far more enjoyable experience for families. But alas, saying something that is perceived as being racist is so much worse than just calling a player every name under the sun.

I understand where you are coming from Johnny.

What are they going to do next year with the return of Trent Barrett ?
Is "Cat" used to denigrate any particular race ?

I dont condone racism and as an Eels fan believe this idiot intended the word to be in that context. However....

I think the above article is a massive over reaction especially when the quote is "Patrons at Parramatta Stadium are put on notice that any person identified as responsible for yelling out, using offensive and abusive language will be prosecuted,"

Now thats just plain stupid ! Half the crowd at ANY ground will be in strife for yelling at the opposition, Ref, Touchie etc.

Imagine Cronulla's advantage, playing in front of a crowd made up of only Sharks fans as all opposing fans have been removed for yelling remarks about Gallen.

Crack down on racisim but lets not go overboard.

 

[Frank_Grimes]

As opposed to allowing players to be racially vilified?

Can you hear that? Oh don't worry it's just that joke flying way, way over your head.