Football Australia boss condemns Welcome to Country booing at final
Football Australia chief executive officer Martin Kugeler has condemned booing from fans during the Welcome to Country at the Australia Cup final where South Melbourne stunned Melbourne Victory.
The final at AAMI Park recorded a crowd figure of 29,911 with jeering heard when Uncle Colin Hunter Junior performed the ceremony.
South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory players during the Australia Cup final. Getty Images
“The actions of individuals who jeered during the Welcome to Country ritual were not reflective of the respect and inclusivity that define our game,” Kugeler said in a statement.
“Football has a proud connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
“We would like to thank Uncle Colin Hunter Junior and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, on whose country the final was played, for their generosity in welcoming everyone to country.
“Football is a game for everyone, and we remain committed to ensuring our matches are welcoming and respectful occasions for all.”
South Melbourne’s win was a historic moment for football in Australia, with no team outside the A-League winning the competition since its inception in 2014.
Victorian Sports Minister Steve Dimopoulos called for fans to show respect.
“A great night for football in Melbourne, and South Melbourne’s win was a wonderful story,” he wrote in a post on Instagram.
“But those few booing a Welcome to Country was not our best moment.
“In Greek we have an important word for how we should act: filotimo, doing the right thing by others with dignity.
“Generations of migrants, including my own community, were welcomed into this country. We should show the same respect to the people who have been on these lands for many years before we got here.
“A welcome from the Traditional Owners is something to be honoured by, not upset about. Well done to all those who honoured the welcome by generously cheering and drowning out the booing.”
