‘All cops are bastards’, says senator, as soccer fans are targeted

A recent Senate inquiry heard testimony regarding an unprecedented level of policing of soccer matches at Parramatta Stadium, including the use of mounted police, sniffer dogs, riot police and Strike Force Raptor, who are usually used only to deal with bikie gangs.

The primary targets of the attention are Western Sydney Wanderers fans and their active support group, the Red and Black Bloc.

The head of the Police Association labelled Wanderers fans “grubs” and sensationally claimed that police have never been more under threat at matches – despite police being the ones who pepper-sprayed a 13-year-old boy at a match last season. They were also found to have placed the entire bay of fans in the “active area” under arrest whenever they wanted to question an individual fan, surrounding all exits so no one could leave. Police have attempted to enforce many draconian measures, including banning flags and banners, and clapping above your head when chanting. They also tried to ban the pre-game march, despite other teams and sporting codes carrying out the same marches without issues.

The restrictions were withdrawn after a massive public outcry, but the police continue to attack fans, absurdly claiming that Wanderers fans could lead a Cronulla-style riot.

“It could lead to that large-scale public disorder”, NSW assistant police commissioner Denis Clifford told the Guardian.

Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm, whom I wouldn’t usually quote favourably, told reporters: “There is a saying … that all cops are bastards. The cops have earned that label”.