According to a public statement from the Red and Black Bloc (RBB), the main group representing Western Sydney's active support, NSW Police have required personal belongings such as drums, banners and megaphones to be forfeited by the group more than two hours prior to their arrival to the venue, with items only to be returned as reward for good behaviour.
The group leadership alleges that they were informed in an early season meeting with police and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) that such action would not be taken proactively by police but only in response to any antisocial behaviour from within the group.
"More than a decade of active fans in this country being treated like criminals for wanting to create atmosphere," the RBB said in a statement this week.
"A decade of being searched, surveilled, having our personal property seized, and being given conditions that no other sports fans in this country would ever have to deal with.
"And now it has escalated to our items being taken at the request of NSW Police over an apparent breach that is yet to take place."
The RBB has responded to the disagreement by vowing to remain completely silent for the 20 minutes of Saturday night's away game against Macarthur FC at Campbelltown Stadium, with Macarthur's own active group - the Bullpen - agreeing to also stay silent as an act of solidarity.
"We are not as big as you. We are not as loud as you. But we share the same passion, and our passion and support will be shared with you across the pitch... in silence," they responded on social media.
Tension between police, A-League administrators and active support fans have existed since the foundation of the competition in 2005 as authorities attempt to negotiate a delicate balance between cultivating an atmosphere in which active support can thrive and maintaining public safety.
The stifling of active support across the country is believed to have played a part in the slow decline of A-League crowds in Australia, with the golden era of the competition seeing the RBB, Sydney's The Cove and Melbourne Victory's North Terrace packing out the home ends in their thousands and creating an atmosphere that was in itself enough to attract other spectators through the gates.
It comes less than two weeks after The Cove complained of "the worst policing standards in the 14 years of the Sydney Derby", alleging an assault from police against a 17-year-old supporter and the eviction of five group leaders without charge.
You can follow live scores and player statistics of the Wanderers-Bulls match here.
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
