- Western Sydney Wanderers have angered countless fans
Western Sydney Wanderers have come under fire after the A-League club banned fans from wearing football shirts of nations currently involved in major conflicts.
It comes as the Wanderers prepare to host a Multicultural Round double header on Friday night at Parramatta’s Commbank Stadium.
Western Sydney confirmed the club-led initiative on Thursday via their social media channels – and supporters were quick to condemn the decision.
‘I have friends who are from Bangladesh, Lebanon, India, Thailand and Cambodia…they all planned on wearing their jerseys…is it correct they can’t wear them due to conflicts involving their country,’ asked one on X.
‘Why can’t I wear my Ukrainian jersey,’ posted a second.
‘They (Wanderers) won’t say no Palestine shirts, so they say any country in conflict without thinking it through properly,’ a third felt.
Western Sydney Wanderers have come under fire after banning fans from wearing football shirts of nations currently involved in major conflicts (pictured, midfielder Steven Ugarkovic)
It comes as the Wanderers prepare to host a Multicultural Round double header on Friday night at Parramatta’s Commbank Stadium
Western Sydney confirmed the club-led initiative on Thursday via their social media channels (pictured, what was posted on X)
This football fan was dumbfounded after reading about the Wanderers’ terms and conditions for supporters during the Multicultural Round at Commbank Stadium
Another asked if he was able to wear his Ukrainian jersey – the Daily Mail can confirm if fans defy the jersey request, they will be required to cloak the items before entering the ground
‘People should be allowed to wear Palestine shirts and flags,’ added a fourth.
The Wanderers made the announcement after pointing to Venues NSW and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) terms and conditions of entry for all supporters.
The A-League club went on to state ‘any political messaging that may cause offence or incite tension are not permitted.’
Australian Professional Leagues CEO Steve Rosich told the Daily Mail the key focus is harmony for all football fans at Commbank Stadium.
‘Like all sporting codes, we have an established Terms of Admission for all A-League matches that we work collaboratively with our venues on,’ he said.
‘This policy allows national team flags and jerseys to be worn and brought into A-League matches.
‘Our goal is to ensure that our game promotes harmony for all, and in line with this, our policy does allow for discretion to be used by stadium staff to request certain banners, flags and merchandise, based on local and international context and climate, be cloaked before entry to encourage enjoyment for all patrons collectively.’
On the field, the goal-shy Wanderers will be desperate to move off the bottom of the ladder.
They appear to be on the rise, earning four points from their last three matches since Gary van Egmond replaced Alen Stajčić as coach and Scottish winger Ryan Fraser joined the club.
Western Sydney have also added Jacob Farrell to the squad, the left back joining on loan from Championship side Portsmouth.
The Phoenix are on a three-match winless run, having lost to Newcastle, drawn against Melbourne City and lost to Melbourne Victory.
Kick-off on Friday is 7:35pm AEDT, with Western Sydney’s ALW squad taking on Newcastle from 4:50pm AEDT.
