Football Australia chief executive Martin Kugeler has condemned the actions of fans who booed the Welcome to Country ceremony before Saturday night’s Australia Cup final, saying their actions were not consistent with the values of the game.
South Melbourne’s stunning penalty shootout win over Melbourne Victory at a sold-out AAMI Park was widely hailed as a landmark moment for the code, particularly as it relates to the aspirations of clubs outside the A-League.
However, for the second time, the tournament’s decider was marred by heckling during the Welcome to Country ceremony, which also occurred during the 2022 final between Sydney United 58 and Macarthur FC.
Kugeler described the match on Saturday night as a “historic occasion” for Australian soccer and praised the atmosphere generated by the majority of fans, but reflected disappointment with what occurred beforehand.
“The actions of individuals who jeered during the Welcome to Country ritual were not reflective of the respect and inclusivity that define our game,” Kugeler said in a statement. “Football has a proud connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
“We would like to thank Uncle Colin Hunter Junior and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, on whose Country the final was played, for their generosity in welcoming everyone to Country.
“Football is a game for everyone, and we remain committed to ensuring our matches are welcoming and respectful occasions for all.”
Indigenous representation in Australian soccer, at least at elite levels, is significantly less than in the other football codes, and Football Australia established an Indigenous advisory group several years ago in part to help address low participation rates and ensure First Nations perspectives were embedded into the federation’s decision makers.
Victorian Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos also called out the behaviour in a statement posted to Instagram, in which he described the incident as “not our best moment”.
“In Greek we have an important word for how we should act: filotimo, doing the right thing by others with dignity,” he said. “Generations of migrants, including my own community, were welcomed into this country. We should show the same respect to the people who have been on these lands for many years before we got here.
“A welcome from the Traditional Owners is something to be honoured by, not upset about. Well done to all those who honoured the welcome by generously cheering and drowning out the booing.”