League promises to listen to fans
GILLON McLachlan has refused to lay blame for the security stuff-up at AFL venues, adding he only became aware of the problem in the last week.
The AFL chief executive was contrite yesterday, promising that the league would listen to fan concerns, but would not accept responsibility for the problem.
He said his personal preference is that the muchmaligned Behavioural Awareness Officer vests that have started appearing at venues do not continue.
After a number of conversations between McLachlan and Jeff Kennett on Tuesday, the Hawthorn president also apologised for his muchderided comments about the ethnic origin of security staff at venues.
McLachlan held a media conference yesterday afternoon in the wake of a widespread supporter backlash about the environment at AFL venues. Fans have complained that they have felt intimidated by increased security.
McLachlan said the league was listening to those concerns, but added they were trying to strike a balance between fan enjoyment and fan safety.
The added security this season follows a number of crowd brawls, most recently during Saturday night’s CarltonWestern Bulldogs match at Marvel Stadium.
“There has been no edict, no discussions — I have not had one discussion about cracking down on fan behaviour,” McLachlan said.
“The venues make their own decisions about policing.”
McLachlan said he also met with Victoria Police yesterday about fan safety at venues.
“I want to be clear about this — our philosophy on this has not changed,” he said. “No one at the AFL is trying to stop our crowd being passionate, our fans barracking — no one.
“It is devastating to think that our fans believe that something has changed that is trying to limit their enjoyment at the footy.” McLachlan agreed with fans that the vests being worn by some security staff should not continue.
“My personal view is they’re not right, they should go,” he said. Kennett also apologised on Tuesday for his earlier comments about security staff and their ethnic origin.