Fans segregated to stop violence
By Ashley Porter
Adelaide
September 7, 2005
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/real ... 22800.html
THE AFL has taken the unprecedented step of segregating Adelaide and Port Adelaide fans for Saturday night's semi-final at AAMI Stadium amid fears of crowd violence.
The move was advised by the stadium owner, the South Australian National Football League.
Members' tickets have been sold at separate booths for Adelaide and Port Adelaide fans for the past two days, and in alternate block-bays of the clubs.
It meant that parents who are Crows members with children who are Port members cannot buy tickets to sit together.
The decision brought an angry response by some fans who claimed they wanted to sit with family or friends who barracked for the other side.
SANFL general manager Leigh Whicker said the decision was based purely on the wellbeing and safety of the fans.
However, some fans argue the segregation is fuelling the situation amid media cries of "football war" that have coloured the build-up to the match.
Port hosted the hometown round-20 game when a flare was thrown on to the playing arena at the end of game, and police made reports when fights broke out among opposing fans outside the stadium gates.
This reaction by the fans when Adelaide won prompted the SANFL to ask the AFL to back the segregation.
The few remaining tickets not snapped up by members will go on sale to the public tomorrow morning, ensuring the 51,515-capacity ground will almost certainly be sold out.
