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Oz Blog: Streakers Strike At Brisbane Roar-Celtic Friendly
While the motivation for streaking is often a mystery, so too is where such fines go, writes Fiona Crawford...
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Jul 17, 2009 2:44:42 AM
The 0-3 Brisbane Roar vs. Celtic friendly scoreline last week was no surprise. Celtic have, after all, won the Scottish championship some 42 times, and the Roar are renowned for not being able to win at home.
Nor was it ever going to be a friendly friendly, with former Glasgow Ranger and now Roar player Charlie Miller admitting in the lead up that he wanted nothing more than to beat his Old Firm rivals.
But what was surprising was that the game yielded not just a widely reported hat-trick of Celtic goals, but also a lesser reported hat-trick of pitch invaders.
The first leapt over the fence in grey boxers just prior to a free kick being taken.
The second legged it along the Celtic-supporters’ baseline just a few minutes later in what appeared — from where we were sitting at the opposite end of the stadium — to be nought but a Celtic scarf, which was quite fitting when you think that one friend labelled the abundant Celtic supporters ‘green Where’s Wallys’.
And the third certainly wasn’t lucky, barely making it over the fence before being apprehended, while the remaining security guards nervously scanned the crowd for an inconceivable fourth invader.
We’ll never know their motivations. It’s unlikely that the invasions were a co-ordinated effort (they looked too drunk and their, er, outfits were mismatched), and they certainly weren’t among the most memorable streaking efforts. Those include a streak across the Randwick Racecourse finishing line in front of galloping horses by Allana Kereopa, whose ‘It seemed like a good idea at the time’ explanation was dubbed ‘The Streaker’s Defence’; and Australian Michael O’Brien’s dash at the rugby, which is immortalised with the image of an embarrassed policeman trying to cover O’Brien’s naughty bits with his hat.
Interestingly, Celtic are no strangers to pitch invaders. One 1980 invasion included on-field riots after the Hoops beat Rangers 1-0 during extra time and led to alcohol being banned at Scottish football grounds. But perhaps familiarity breeds contempt. The Roar and Celtic players alike seemed unimpressed by last weekend’s streakers, although none attempted a shoulder charge like that made famous by Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds at the nearby Gabba in 2008.
In fact, the accepted rule is not to celebrate (or get involved with) pitch invasions. Television stations no longer broadcast streakers, instead cutting away to milling seagulls and having the commentators engage in some inane chatter despite a telltale crowd roar in the background. Stadiums have increased their fines and added such extra disincentives as being banned from the stadium to stem the over-the-fence flow.
Pitch invaders are looking at $5000 each for setting foot on Suncorp Stadium’s hallowed ground and, whether they have to foot the bill themselves or find a bunch of friends to chip in to cover the cost, streaking is an expensive exercise. Which is why three streakers in one match is something of a record.
The Roar vs. Celtic friendly fines were up to a jackpot-like $15,000, and it was during the ensuing repeated big-screen warnings not to even think about it, that my friend Bob overheard a random in the crowd asking if everyone invaded the pitch and paid the fine, would that get the Roar out of their financial strife?
Which prompted the question of where exactly do the fines go? Do they go to the cash-strapped club? Are they siphoned off for something as lacklustre as administrative costs? Or is there a football equivalent of a Monopoly Free Parking, which some lucky punter lands on and reaps the rewards?
The answer seems to be that no one’s entirely sure. Suncorp Stadium didn’t think it went to them and suggested calling the Queensland Police, who handle the pitch invaders post capture. The Queensland Police weren’t entirely sure and recommended trying the Brisbane Roar. The Brisbane Roar didn’t think the fine proceeds came to them and suggested trying the Football Federation of Australia. The FFA in turn suggested asking the Minister for Sport’s office, which is going to get back to me.
The likely and underwhelming answer that no one wished to go on record for? The fines go to state government revenue, which pays for the likes of road works and other infrastructure such as the Suncorp Stadium upgrade.
Meh, although perhaps that’s an added disincentive for pitch invaders — were their fines to go to something exotic or charitable, such as how UEFA reinvests player fines in humanitarian aid and social and educational projects such as the Homeless World Cup, it might encourage them.
But regardless of where the fine ends up, concern over its destination doesn't seem a likely factor in the planning stage of a streak-fest. After all, no amount of money, boringness, or public shame will deter people who think it clever to run around in all but nothing on a willy-shrinkingly chilly winter’s afternoon.
Fiona Crawford
All the Australian soccer coverage you need on the Goal.com Australia homepage!
Nor was it ever going to be a friendly friendly, with former Glasgow Ranger and now Roar player Charlie Miller admitting in the lead up that he wanted nothing more than to beat his Old Firm rivals.
But what was surprising was that the game yielded not just a widely reported hat-trick of Celtic goals, but also a lesser reported hat-trick of pitch invaders.
The first leapt over the fence in grey boxers just prior to a free kick being taken.
The second legged it along the Celtic-supporters’ baseline just a few minutes later in what appeared — from where we were sitting at the opposite end of the stadium — to be nought but a Celtic scarf, which was quite fitting when you think that one friend labelled the abundant Celtic supporters ‘green Where’s Wallys’.
And the third certainly wasn’t lucky, barely making it over the fence before being apprehended, while the remaining security guards nervously scanned the crowd for an inconceivable fourth invader.
We’ll never know their motivations. It’s unlikely that the invasions were a co-ordinated effort (they looked too drunk and their, er, outfits were mismatched), and they certainly weren’t among the most memorable streaking efforts. Those include a streak across the Randwick Racecourse finishing line in front of galloping horses by Allana Kereopa, whose ‘It seemed like a good idea at the time’ explanation was dubbed ‘The Streaker’s Defence’; and Australian Michael O’Brien’s dash at the rugby, which is immortalised with the image of an embarrassed policeman trying to cover O’Brien’s naughty bits with his hat.
Interestingly, Celtic are no strangers to pitch invaders. One 1980 invasion included on-field riots after the Hoops beat Rangers 1-0 during extra time and led to alcohol being banned at Scottish football grounds. But perhaps familiarity breeds contempt. The Roar and Celtic players alike seemed unimpressed by last weekend’s streakers, although none attempted a shoulder charge like that made famous by Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds at the nearby Gabba in 2008.
In fact, the accepted rule is not to celebrate (or get involved with) pitch invasions. Television stations no longer broadcast streakers, instead cutting away to milling seagulls and having the commentators engage in some inane chatter despite a telltale crowd roar in the background. Stadiums have increased their fines and added such extra disincentives as being banned from the stadium to stem the over-the-fence flow.
Pitch invaders are looking at $5000 each for setting foot on Suncorp Stadium’s hallowed ground and, whether they have to foot the bill themselves or find a bunch of friends to chip in to cover the cost, streaking is an expensive exercise. Which is why three streakers in one match is something of a record.
The Roar vs. Celtic friendly fines were up to a jackpot-like $15,000, and it was during the ensuing repeated big-screen warnings not to even think about it, that my friend Bob overheard a random in the crowd asking if everyone invaded the pitch and paid the fine, would that get the Roar out of their financial strife?
Which prompted the question of where exactly do the fines go? Do they go to the cash-strapped club? Are they siphoned off for something as lacklustre as administrative costs? Or is there a football equivalent of a Monopoly Free Parking, which some lucky punter lands on and reaps the rewards?
The answer seems to be that no one’s entirely sure. Suncorp Stadium didn’t think it went to them and suggested calling the Queensland Police, who handle the pitch invaders post capture. The Queensland Police weren’t entirely sure and recommended trying the Brisbane Roar. The Brisbane Roar didn’t think the fine proceeds came to them and suggested trying the Football Federation of Australia. The FFA in turn suggested asking the Minister for Sport’s office, which is going to get back to me.
The likely and underwhelming answer that no one wished to go on record for? The fines go to state government revenue, which pays for the likes of road works and other infrastructure such as the Suncorp Stadium upgrade.
Meh, although perhaps that’s an added disincentive for pitch invaders — were their fines to go to something exotic or charitable, such as how UEFA reinvests player fines in humanitarian aid and social and educational projects such as the Homeless World Cup, it might encourage them.
But regardless of where the fine ends up, concern over its destination doesn't seem a likely factor in the planning stage of a streak-fest. After all, no amount of money, boringness, or public shame will deter people who think it clever to run around in all but nothing on a willy-shrinkingly chilly winter’s afternoon.
Fiona Crawford
All the Australian soccer coverage you need on the Goal.com Australia homepage!
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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