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Update: Rockdale Ilinden FC v Sydney United 58 FC Incident

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Football NSW would like to provide the following update in respect of the incidents which arose during and after the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s (NPLNSW) match between Rockdale Ilinden FC (RIFC) and Sydney United 58 FC (SUFC) at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on 25 April 2021.

After an extensive investigation into those incidents, Football NSW laid a number of charges against both clubs for alleged breaches of the Football NSW Grievance and Disciplinary Regulations (Regulations).

Those charges related to incidents which occurred during the game and inside the ground, as well as the post-match riot between spectators of both clubs.

Those charges were heard before the Football NSW General Purposes Tribunal (GPT) on 19 July 2021 and the GPT released its determination on 10 August 2021.

By way of summary, both clubs were found guilty of a number of offences, including for conduct that brings the game into disrepute in relation to the involvement of their spectators in the post-match riot, and were issued with the following overall sanctions:

Rockdale Ilinden FC:

  1. $11,500 in fines payable immediately and the loss of 6 Premiership Points in the 2021 season; and
  2. $6,000 in fines and loss of 6 Premiership Points (both suspended, with the suspension triggered upon a finding of guilt for contravention of specified offences during the 2022 season).

Sydney United 58 FC:

  1. $11,000 in fines payable immediately and the loss of 6 Premiership Points in the 2021 season; and
  2. $9,000 in fines and loss of 6 Premiership Points (both suspended, with the suspension triggered upon a finding of guilt for contravention of specified offences during the 2022 season).

In addition to the above sanctions, for the duration of the 2021 season and for the entirety of the 2022 season, all NPL and any FA Cup matches between the two clubs must be played behind closed doors.

The difference in the amount of the fines payable by the clubs is due to the fact that not all of their charges in respect of incidents within the ground were identical.  Both clubs received identical penalties in respect of the post-match riot.

Both clubs have seven days within which to appeal the GPT’s determination.

If neither club has lodged an appeal within that period, Football NSW will publish a copy of the GPT’s determination on its website.

Football NSW commends both clubs for the assistance they provided to NSW Police and to Football NSW during their respective investigations, for the way they conducted themselves during the GPT proceedings and for the pro-active steps taken since these incidents occurred.

We take this opportunity to remind all of our stakeholders that Football NSW has a zero tolerance policy towards violent behaviour.

The sanctions imposed are a reflection of how seriously Football NSW treats such incidents.

 Vidovic adamant his sides ambitions won’t waver in lockdown

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Sydney United 58 FC head coach Tomi Vidovic knows that regardless of the length in which we remain in lockdown, won’t change the aims of his high flying side.

When you’re in charge of a club with the stature and history of Sydney United 58 FC, you can excuse one if the weight of the badge were too much.

For Vidovic however, managing the club he grew up supporting is seen in no way a pressure, but rather a privilege.

“Sydney United was the first club my dad took me to support as a kid and the only club I support to this day.

“When people ask who my favourite team in the EPL, Serie A or La Liga is my answer is Sydney United.

“I am very grateful and honoured to coach at this great club.”

And during his tenures over the years it’s shown. As an assistant, Vidovic was integral in 2016 as the club took home the Premiership, Waratah Cup and NPL National Championship.

In the year that followed, where Vidovic stepped up in an interim role he guided the squad to the FFA round of 16.

After gaining further experience with the Western Sydney Wanderers  in the A-League, Vidovic returned to his beloved club this season where his side currently sit in second place, hot on the heels of Blacktown City FC.

“It’s been a largely positive season. With five games left to play we are still challenging for both the premiership and championship.

“The coaching staff, players, fans and community’s  expectation is to be challenging for titles so to be in contention this year is great.

“Our performances have been generally consistent and we’ve played a brand of football our supporters have enjoyed watching. A few matches could have gone differently but that’s football.”

A tough loss away to leaders Blacktown just weeks before lockdown allowed their rivals to go four points clear. In a match that saw Sydney United control the play for large periods and yet walk away empty handed was proof as to just how difficult it can be in this competition.

A factor that Vidovic says is a credit to the quality of the league.

“This is a very tough competition.

“The pedigree is high in the coaching ranks, so many of the coaches have great credentials both as players and coaches.  Every week presents different challenges tactically which I enjoy.”

It’s because of this that Vidovic believes that his side need to remain on the ball and ready to perform once the season starts although he was quick to praise his side and their professionalism throughout lockdown.

“From a physical point of view the players have been given programs to complete.

“We understand the difficulty with all the uncertainty and restrictions in certain LGA’s. However, the players have been extremely professional throughout doing the best they can. More importantly myself and my coaching staff have been in touch with players to ensure they are mentally coping with the situation.

“We’re a big family at Sydney United. From the players to fans that support us each week, we have been there for each other and will continue to do so, these are the foundations the club was built on.

“We’re hopeful of a return as we certainly feel like there is unfinished business if we do we’re confident in challenging for every trophy on offer.”

-By Joseph Esposito

De Robillard making his mark in the NPL’s elite Men’s league

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At only 18, Stephan De Robillard is settling in well to the NPL NSW Men’s Competition.

The youngster has already scored three goals for the Northbridge Bulls side and has big ambitions to make his mark on the league.

“It was a tough season, especially because we’re a young side,” he explained.

“For me individually, I feel like I’ve learned a lot, being only 18 and playing first grade.

“We’ve done well but I would say, means to be more consistent.”

After making the step up to the NPL New South Wales Men’s Competition, De Robillard said there are some key differences between the teams and players.

“I would say one would be probably physicality because they’re much older, they’re bigger they’re smarter but I would say we’ve got them on pace and technical ability and fitness.

“It’s good that we learn playing those teams, so we grow that maturity and experience.”

While the lockdown is keeping the Bulls from training as a team, they are still working hard to remain prepared for the return to football and keeping in touch through Zoom.

“All of us are staying fit, we’ve been staying in contact on Zoom making sure we’re all up to date on our fitness.

“Each week in the fitness program gets harder so we’re always prepared.

“There are these tasks our coach gives us and basically we’ve been put in groups and we’ve got to work together – it’s like homework basically, football homework.

“We’ll analyse another team and then we get together on Zoom and then we share our answers.

“That’s a good way for us to all stay in contact.

The youngster isn’t finding a lack of motivation a problem in the lockdown, drawing on his eagerness to establish himself in the men’s competition.

“For me, the motivation is always there just because I was so pumped to play top tier NPL Men’s football and it’s my first year playing first grade.

“I want to prove myself this season and see how I could perform.

“The season hasn’t been fully called off so until it is called off, then I can have a break.

Outside of training to keep fit, De Robillard has been trying to keep busy through new hobbies.

“I’ve been doing a couple of new things that I don’t normally do to stay occupied and bike riding is one of them.”

When football returns, the youngster has clear goals for the remainder of the season.

“Because we’ve drawn our last four, we haven’t lost, we’d like to obviously keep that streak of not losing but we want to try to win all the games, the rest of the games.

“For me individually, I want to try to score in each of them.”

-By Madeline Riley

 

 

Belkadi grateful to be back playing after injury scare

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Wollongong Wolves exciting young 21-year-old Left Back Bilal Belkadi has been hard at work during lockdown to ensure he can pick up where he left from after an early season leg injury that nearly derailed his maiden NPL NSW Men’s campaign.

The life of a young footballer is fragile at best.

You’re hungry to prove yourself as you constantly search to improve day in day out.

There have been many footballers brimming with talent in recent years that have gone too far too soon or in devastating cases, succumb to injuries that stunt or end their career before it begins.

For Belkadi, a broken fibula in the early stages of the year posed that very threat.

In very rare circumstances however, the budding footballers’ injury didn’t require surgery with the left-back only spending weeks on the sideline.

“I was very disappointed when I injured my leg.

“Having to move away from home on the Central Coast to a new place took time but I felt like I adjusted really well and slotted into the squad well under Luke’s (Wilkshire) leadership, so when the injury came it was tough mentally.

“I was, however, very lucky to only miss a few games and get back out onto the park quickly so I’m very grateful.”

For Belkadi, a return saw a string of strong performances for a player looking very comfortable within the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.

Having come through the academy at the Central Coast Mariners amassing several years at a first grade NPL level, Belkadi says he felt that he adapted well physically.

“Moving to Wollongong and into the NPL NSW Men’s league I didn’t find the physical challenge all that difficult.

“I was used to it in the years prior but the technicality of the players is definitely higher so that took some adjusting too but I feel I’ve handled it really well.”

Belkadi, with his vast experience against those older than him, poses a threat for those he comes up against each week.

An old head on young shoulders is certainly something that would be of benefit to any side and for a Wolves side right in the hunt for finals football this year, Belkadi is sure to have an important role to play.

“We started off a bit slow this year.

“There were new players like myself that came in and it showed early on.

“Although once we came together, we clicked well, and the performances came. We’ve qualified for the FFA Cup along with putting ourselves in a position to fight for the finals which is great.

“The timing of the lockdown was a shame but there’s plenty of teams like us who were starting to find form so we’re staying positive and looking forward to when the season restarts.”

As Belkadi, like many of us, sits tight amidst the enforced lockdown, he has been staying quite busy with the opportunity to play on the national stage along with a chance to play finals football at the forefront of his mind.

“When the lockdown first started, I was at home on the Central Coast. I have 3 brothers and a sister so it was great to be with my family.

“My brothers and I worked a lot in the backyard with bootcamp style training along with plenty of running to the beach and back.

“Coach Luke has also sent the squad training programs and we have a team zoom call three times a week involving core work which has been very beneficial for us. Of course, in my downtime, the PlayStation has been very handy (laughs).

“The squad is very keen to get back to training and playing together as we have a lot to look forward to.

“We’re going to be pushing for finals and of course the FFA Cup is exciting. It will be my first time in it, I can’t wait to show what I and the team can do but with all the work we’ve put in individually, we’ll be ready for a big end to the year.”

-By Joseph Esposito

Cholakian adapting well to Olympic life

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As one of the NPL NSW Men’s most experienced players, Brendan Cholakian has been a mainstay of Manly United’s squad for the majority of his time in the competition.

After making the big switch from Cromer Park to Belmore Sportsground for Sydney Olympic this year, the midfielder has settled right in to the new team dynamic, continuing to be one of the league’s most impactful players.

“I think this year was always going to be the toughest season for me because of the change,” he explained.

“Taking the big change into account, it’s been such a smooth and enjoyable season so far, the team, the squad, the coaching staff and the Club itself have been so welcoming to me and that made me fit in really, really well and it feels like I’ve been playing there for such a long period of time.

“We always knew it was going to take a fair bit of time for us to gel, but the chemistry that we’ve got as a playing group is really, really good and I’m enjoying my football now more than ever – it’s been a really good season.

“We’ve positioned ourselves really, really well, in that fifth spot and close to the top three or four that once we get back to playing, we can really close out the season with some strong form with the remaining games that we’ve got at home at Belmore.”

Having spent so much time at Manly, Cholakian experienced going back to Cromer Park as a visitor this season.

“It was strange when I came up against them the first time and it was actually at Cromer Park – it’s always strange going back to a place that you’ve been at for so long.

“I think the way that the Olympic has made me feel so much at home since day one, it made that transition a little bit easier.

“I still speak with a lot of the players at Manly still quite regularly and they’ll be good friends to me for a long, long time even outside of my footballing career.

“From that sort of individual people side of things, I still sort of keep in touch with everyone, but when it came to football, even though the first time back to Cromer was a bit strange, I haven’t really felt any different and I feel like my new home at Olympic is somewhere I want to be for a very long time.”

While the lockdown is stopping Olympic from getting together and training as a team, they are still training individually and building their chemistry through the digital channels available to them.

“As most people would say when you’re in lockdown the best escape is to sort of get out onto the paddock and have a run and have a kick so the fitness plan that has been provided to us by Olympic has been really, really good and, most importantly, we’ve got a really committed squad of individuals and I know that every single one of them is going to be doing this at the best of their ability.

“Our WhatsApp group chat blows up quite regularly with a fair bit of banter, in fact, I think now that we’ve gone into lockdown the WhatsApp group has probably got a bit more content in there in comparison to when we were seeing each other every pretty much every second day of training anyway.

“We’ve got a really good bunch of boys everyone gets along really well, everyone’s reaching out to individuals independently as well – I’ve reached out to the boys just checking to see how they’re going, and I’ve received the same, so it just shows what a strong group of players that we have.”

With the extension of the NSW stay-at-home orders, Cholakian can’t wait until it is safe to get back on the pitch and continue Olympic’s 2021 campaign.

“We’ve positioned ourselves in a really good spot in terms of the league, being fifth with a number of games to go.

“With a number of those games at Belmore, it gives us a really good opportunity to secure our spot in finals football and finish as high as we can on the table, so that when we do go into the finals series we’re going into that with a bit of sort of winning momentum.

“It’s also been a really successful year for us in the Cup competitions – we’ve got the semi-final of the Waratah Cup against Blacktown, and we obviously want to win that game and get into the final, and then we’ve got the big matchup against Sydney FC in the FFA Cup so we’ve still got so much to play for.

“That’s why this time off is so important to make sure that we are staying fit and sharp so when we do get back we’ve got a couple of big-ticket items to make sure that we win and progress well in.”

-By Madeline Riley