Maclaren: ‘Don’t dock WSW points’
Star Brisbane Roar striker Jamie Maclaren does not want to see A-League title rivals Western Sydney stripped of competition points as punishment for fan misbehaviour.
The second-placed Roar, who sit equal on points with the Wanderers but behind on goal difference, would be the biggest beneficiaries if Football Federation Australia (FFA) decide to take the unprecedented action against the club.
Western Sydney have been given until Wednesday afternoon to show cause why they should not face sanction for “bringing the game into disrepute” after some of their fans forced a mid-match delay in Saturday’s clash against Melbourne Victory at Docklands by setting off 20 flares and detonators.
It is not something that would sit comfortably with Maclaren, who played for Perth Glory last season when they had points taken off them for salary cap breaches.
• Gallop threatens A-League fan bans over flares
“We want it to be tight at the top and it’d be unfortunate if they were to lose points,” Maclaren said.
“I was in a situation with Perth last year when they put a sanction on Perth.
“I couldn’t control it at Perth and I can’t control what Gallop’s [FFA chief executive David Gallop] going to do with the Wanderers.
“It’s up to FFA to do what they want to do. But Western Sydney have great fans, as the whole league does.
“It’s an unfortunate situation but it’s got nothing to do with Brisbane.”
FFA once imposed a suspended deduction of three points on both the Wanderers and Victory for a pre-match brawl involving supporters of both teams back in 2013, but has never actually triggered the action for off-field behaviour.