A mum has shared her disgust and frustration after rowdy AFL fans left her seven-year-old in tears…
A mum has shared her frustration on a morning radio show after AFL fans left her young child in tears following a Mother’s Day match in Melbourne. Lee Quinlan told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell that she has had enough of spectator culture and is tired of trying to protect her children from ‘disgustingly rude and inconsiderate’ fans.
Inappropriate Behaviour
After the latest incident at the Mother’s Day clash, Lee says she will never attend an AFL match again and has decided to cancel her membership with the Melbourne Cricket Club.
“The aggressive nature in which supporters take on the game is bordering on intolerable,” she told the radio host. “It’s a completely unenjoyable experience and I’m constantly trying to shield my young children from both the verbal and almost physical behaviour.”
Lee says that the game, especially spectator culture, has changed since she was a child. “As a family, we love our football, but (this decision) has been coming for a while,” she admitted.
A Widespread Problem
It seems the AFL is not the only code to face a problem with inappropriate fan behaviour. Just last year, NRL fans brawled at the annual ANZAC Day match between the Sydney Roosters and the St George Illawarra Dragons, with radio personality Ray Hadley condemning those involved. “There are a couple that need banning judging by what I’ve seen,” he said at the time.
For Lee, however, the decision has already been made. “We would implore the AFL to have a look at the behaviour of supporters,” she said. “Maybe a consideration for the AFL is to have family bays that are heavily controlled.”
We think that all football codes need to look at ways to improve the spectator experience for families to ensure that everyone is safe and able to enjoy the experience!
Do you think that stadiums should introduce family bays? Share your thoughts in the comments.
We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
11:31 am
9:44 pm
7:57 am
3:28 am
10:13 pm
10:04 pm
5:02 pm
3:42 pm
4:48 am
4:33 am
11:33 pm
9:12 pm
7:29 pm
6:31 pm
12:53 pm