20230226_175227

A pre-match display at AAMI Park, one of the host venues for the 2023 Women's World Cup, during the 2023 A-Leagues Pride Round. Photo: Poletti

In what was supposed to be an initiative celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and creating awareness for acceptance, it instead caused a divide amongst Melbourne Victory supporters.

Multiple leaders from the Victory’s active support group, ‘The North Terrace’, were a no-show for Melbourne Victory’s women’s and men’s doubleheader against Adelaide United at AAMI Park on Saturday.

Rumours swirled prior to kick-off for the men’s fixture that a small section of Victory fans involved in the Terrace were in Shepparton to support the Victory NPL team rather than the first team, with no activity on social media adding fuel to those reports.

Although not confirming it officially, a banner in Shepparton reading ‘No Politics’ hinted that those fans were protesting the Pride Cup being contested in the A-Leagues.

On Monday, Herald Sun journalist Ben Higgins broke the story involving a banned Victory supporter who took part in the disgraceful Derby pitch invasion in 2022, who allegedly hurled homophobic slurs at players during the NPL encounter in Shepparton.

The supporter in question is serving a life ban, but Victory confirmed that due to safety concerns for spectators and staff, he was not removed.

Victory coach Arthur Diles was asked after his side’s 5-3 win whether he was aware of less fans in attendance.

“I didn’t really notice it because we still had big numbers behind both ends of the goals,” he said.

“In the end, it’s a pride round, and it’s a game that represents what football is about — and it’s for everybody.”

On social media, there were differing opinions about the subject of implementing a Pride Round, with one fan writing: “Anyone boycotting because of Pride Round, can’t call themselves Victory fans.”

Another Victory fan however, said differently: “Huge respect for the boys in blue tonight deciding not to wear the pride kits due to personal beliefs/reasons. No matter your beliefs, always stand up for what you believe in.”

It comes as the club were placed under the microscope after the men didn’t wear rainbow names and numbers on their kit, despite the women’s team doing so in the first game of the double-header.

According to journalist Joey Lynch, Victory officials confirmed that Pride Round was “centred on education sessions and helping players and staff further their understanding”, with kit plans involving a rainbow captain’s armband only.

Round Ball Australia’s Poletti, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, spoke about the matter on Tuesday’s episode of Round Ball Australia podcast.

“This is quite close to my heart because this is who I am everyday,” they said.

“I don’t get to take off a rainbow shirt and go back to living the life of a straight white male because that’s not who I am, it’s never been who I am, and it took me a very long time to realise who I was.

“I’ve been to football games where I’ve heard homophobic abuse; I’ve been subject to some of that homophobic abuse from people. This is not something that goes away; it’s something that is there [and] it’s why these things (Pride Round) exist.

Tags: