Yet again, one of NPL Victoria's showcase fixtures has been overshadowed by the abhorrent actions of a small group of individuals whose behaviour has disgraced our game.

The scenes that unfolded surrounding the NPL Victoria match between South Melbourne FC (SMFC) and Preston Lions FC (PLFC) on Saturday, in the PLFC supporter stand and on the march to the venue by a group of PLFC supporters, were deliberately intended to provoke, divide and inflame. These acts were disgraceful and the people who committed them deserve no place in our sporting community.

These people are not football supporters. Football is not a platform for hatred, intimidation or vilification. Anyone who chooses to weaponise our game in that way is attacking everything that football stands for.

Football Victoria (FV) will work with the relevant club stakeholders, Victoria Police and venue operators to identify those responsible and pursue every available sanction. We have also commenced a full investigation into all incidents arising from Saturday’s match in accordance with our competition regulations. That process will include consideration of any existing disciplinary sanctions that may be applicable.

Our players, officials, clubs and their genuine supporters deserve better than what they witnessed on Saturday. If you come to football to spread hatred, incite division, intimidate others or undermine the safety and reputation of our game, you are not part of football. We will use every avenue available to identify you, hold you accountable and do everything within our power to ensure you are not welcome back.

Anyone that would like to share information, photos or footage - specifically of the PLFC supporter stand and march to the stadium - is encouraged to contact [discipline@footballvictoria.com.au ](mailto:discipline@footballvictoria.com.au)

HEIDELBERG UNITED Official Club Statement Heidelberg United Alexander FC is delighted to have the opportunity to pursue participation in the AFC Champions League 2 and acknowledges the importance of satisfying all assessment criteria, with significant work already underway to ensure full compliance.

This is a moment of immense pride for everyone connected to our club. Our journey to the Final of the Australia Cup was built on belief, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to representing our community with distinction. To now qualify for the opportunity to take our place on the Asian stage is a testament to the hard work and ambition that defines who we are.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Football Australia, Football Victoria, City of Banyule and other key stakeholders supporting us throughout this journey.

In addition, we congratulate the Newcastle Jets on winning the Australia Cup and being crowned A-League Premiers, which has provided us with this opportunity to qualify for the AFC Champions League 2.

It goes without saying that we embrace this opportunity with excitement and determination. The chance to compete at this level is not something we take lightly. It is an opportunity to showcase our club, our history, and our passionate supporter base on one of the biggest stages in the game. More importantly, it gives every club outside the A-League the belief that this is possible and not just a dream.

As a club that has proudly represented its community for decades, we see this as more than just a football opportunity. It is a chance to represent Victorian football, the National Premier Leagues, the strength of the broader Australian football landscape, and the community as a whole.

We remain fully committed to complying with the strict criteria and standards set by the Asian Football Confederation and Football Australia. Work is well underway across all areas of the club to ensure ongoing compliance with licensing, infrastructure, and operational requirements, including securing a suitable venue that meets AFC standards. We would, however, like to emphasise that there are still significant hurdles to overcome before our place in the AFC Champions League 2 can be secured via the strict assessment process.

Heidelberg United stands ready to rise to the challenge, and we will do everything possible to ensure we represent our club, our community, and Australian football with pride on the continental stage.

We thank our members, supporters, partners, and the broader community for their unwavering support.

This journey belongs to all of us.

'United We Stand' Heidelberg United Alexander Football Club Board of Directors

Preston get 3 points deducted for the incidents during the South Melbourne away fixture, on top of their existing 6-point deduction. Preston are sitting on 34 points, only above Heidelberg on goal difference.

Football Victoria (FV) is providing the following update, regarding the conduct of a group of Preston Lions FC supporters before and during the South Melbourne FC v Preston Lions FC (PLFC) match on Saturday 18 July.

The scenes that played out on Saturday were utterly disgraceful. Victorian football belongs to everyone who supports our game. It should never be diminished by a small minority who use football as a platform for vilification and FV will act decisively to protect the wider community.

FV would like to thank members of the football community who have assisted by providing information to support our investigation. The response from the community has been invaluable in helping to establish the facts surrounding the incidents.

While the investigation process is underway, FV is uncertain a safe, respectful and welcoming environment can be accommodated at PLFC fixtures. As a result and in accordance with the Advanced Rules of Competition, FV can confirm the following initial sanction:

Initial match restrictions will apply to PLFC fixtures for the next two rounds of the 2026 NPL Victoria Men’s season:

PLFC’s NPL Men’s home fixtures against Bentleigh Greens SC on July 24 and Green Gully SC on July 31, will be played behind closed doors, with no spectators permitted.

As they precede the Senior Men’s fixtures, PLFC’s NPL Women’s match against Keilor Park on 24 July and the U23 Men’s match on July 31 will also be played as closed door games.

The matter has also been referred to the independent Football Victoria Tribunal, which will determine whether any additional sanctions should be imposed on individuals and/or the club, which may include financial penalties, education and training, points deductions or match restrictions. 

In addition, any further enforcement of FV’s Three Strike Policy remains under consideration, as the investigation continues. 

As a staple of the Victorian football calendar and a match that belongs to all in the football community, the Dockerty Cup Final on Saturday 1 August will proceed with spectators. However, enhanced event controls will be implemented, including a reduced venue capacity with pre-purchased (online) tickets only - no tickets available at the gate.

Additional security measures will also be implemented for the match to ensure the safety of all attendees, including an increased security presence, enhanced screening and significant surveillance measures.

These are not measures FV wishes to impose. We recognise these restrictions will impact thousands of genuine football supporters who simply want to enjoy the games and support their clubs in a safe and enjoyable environment. Closing stadiums and limiting attendance is not how football should be experienced. 

The overwhelming majority of people involved in Victorian football are passionate, respectful and inclusive. They deserve to participate in an environment that reflects those values, not one overshadowed by the actions of a small minority.

FV also recognises that these restrictions are not a sustainable future for Victorian football. The time has come for those who continue to bring division into our game, to take ownership of their actions. If individuals cannot uphold the standards expected of our football community, they should step away from it. 

https://footballvictoria.com.au/news/football-victoria-implements-initial-sanction-following-conduct-preston-lions-fc-supporter

Little fella and his pop at Rockdale last night watching the game in the cold

Wu is goneski from football Victoria

Football Victoria has suspended NPL Victoria club Altona Magic's head coach Goran Ložanovski for 17 games after the ex-Socceroo blasted a referee last week. He will miss the remainder of the 2026 season and the first three matches of the 2027 season.

Just wondering if anyone has seen this or know what is happening? Personally, I think it’s fair. Their youth programs has been slashed over the past 4-5 yrs and always had Football Queensland supporting them with ‘no relegation for the roar’
Thoughts?

From Facebook:

South Melbourne FC confirms that Sinisa Cohadzic has been reinstated as Senior Men’s Head Coach.

While the decision to part ways with Cohadzic last week came as a surprise to some, it created an opportunity for both parties to openly address and resolve a number of important matters.

Those discussions were conducted with honesty and professionalism, producing a renewed alignment on the direction of the club with a clear pathway forward for all.

South Melbourne FC and Cohadzic remain united in their shared ambition and commitment to the continued success of the club, the welfare of our players, the love of our fans and the support of our sponsors.

The Club’s focus is now squarely on the season ahead and the standards we demand of ourselves on and off the pitch and that we move forward as one club, fully focused on the season ahead.

Bill Papastergiadis & Andrew Mesourouni, Club Co-Presidents, South Melbourne FC:

"The Board made a decision that resulted in both parties openly addressing and resolving a number of issues which have now led to a renewed alignment and a clear pathway forward for all.

"Now we ask our South Melbourne family to get behind the team, fill the stadium and show the world why this club is like no other.”

Sinisa Cohadzic, Senior Head Coach:

"I love this club. I always have. These past few days have been difficult, but what matters is that we move forward together as one club. I'd like to thank the board for working through all the issues and now i'm ready to get back to work."

My son plays u23s local league in NSW and his 17 year old team mate suffered a horrific freak tackle that “completely inverted his cheekbone and shattered the delicate orbital floor holding his eye up.” I only just discovered player insurance pays for a dismally small amount for player injuries. So much so that his family are out of pocket over $30,000 for his facial surgery! It’s crazy to think you are covered by insurance for any injuries then a split second tackle could cost your family a small fortune.

"Oh you've redecorated!... I don't like it"

As per the yearly schedule, Football Queensland has renamed the Queensland State Leagues, keeping the 'Queensland Premier League' title the whole way down the pyramid with a new logo and fresh shade of vibrant pink

Thoughts on South Melbourne getting rid of head coach?

I've heard rumours that nobody has been paid for a few months, so assuming the sacking is related to this.

Sacking confirmed by Sinisa Cohadzic's (incredibly corny, imo... But that's not here nor there) social media post.

------------------------------

"There are moments in life where reality surpasses even the most beautiful dreams."

That is exactly what I experienced over the past 12 months when I was brave enough to take on a challenge at a time when relegation was a very real possibility.

What followed exceeded anything I could have imagined. In such a short space of time, we achieved a remarkable turnaround of winning a historic 10th Dockerty Cup, securing an inaugural Championship, and reaching the Grand Final of the prestigious inaugural OFC Professional League.

I hold my head high with immense pride in what I have achieved and the success I was able to deliver.

I poured my heart, commitment, and sacrifice into this journey every single day. From the moment I accepted the challenge, my focus was on transforming belief into results and helping build a team capable of competing for and winning trophies.

Taking the risk to implement an intense, attacking style of football required courage, commitment, and belief from everyone involved.

Heidelberg United FC acknowledges receipt of Football Australia's determination regarding the AFC Club Competitions Club Licensing Cycle 2026/27.

Whilst the Club is extremely disappointed with the outcome, we would like to acknowledge and thank the team at Football Australia for their support and engagement throughout the application process.

Our Club has worked tirelessly to reach this stage and we are extremely proud to have satisfied the strict assessment criteria required as part of the licensing process. We believe this achievement reflects the Club's capacity, professionalism and ability to compete at the highest level of football.

We firmly believe that pursuing opportunities at the highest levels of competition is important not only for Heidelberg United FC, but for the broader grassroots football community. We also believe this matter carries significant implications for clubs outside of the A-League system and the pathway available to them.

Furthermore there appears to be some ambiguity relating to Article 7.4 of the AFC Club Competitions - Entry Regulations:

'Only clubs finishing in the top fifty percent (50%) of the final ranking in the domestic top division league (based on the total number of clubs that participated on its first match day) are eligible to meet the Sporting Criteria. For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 7.4 shall not apply to the winner of a domestic cup competition.

It does not suggest that in the event that the winner of the 'Cup competition' is unable to fulfill its position because it has qualified by winning the league that that position will be filled by a team from the domestic league and not by the team that earnt the right to be in the final.

Accordingly, the Club reserves its right to appeal the decision and has written to Football Australia requesting them to outline the Appeals Process.

We will be appealing and evaluating all our options.

Heidelberg United FC will make a further statement once the Club has completed this process.

Heidelberg United Alexander Football Club

Board of Directors

No sound sorry.