A "substantial and worrying fall in crowd numbers so far this season appears to back up suggestions that constant fouling aimed at nullifying the game’s more exciting players is hurting the A-League," according to Ray Gatt of THE AUSTRALIAN. In a situation that "must be of concern for Football Federation Australia," an analysis of crowd figures for the first seven rounds shows a fall of 98,380 on the corresponding period, with the average crowd per match dropping from 15,593 to 13,158. Adelaide United is the "biggest" loser with its average home attendance falling from 17,585 to 11,800. Of the 10 A-League clubs, "only four have shown an increase in home attendance averages" -- Western Sydney (up 1,221), Wellington Phoenix (1,155), Newcastle Jets (592) and Central Coast Mariners (507). The fall in overall figures comes "on top of poor ratings" both on free-to-air and pay-TV. The FTA ratings on SBS2 "have been abysmal, struggling to get to 58,000." The station "recorded a paltry 39,000" for the Melbourne City vs. Newcastle Jets game several weeks ago. Sydney FC Coach Graham Arnold and Brisbane Roar Coach John Aloisi claim that "constant fouling has resulted in the stifling of the good players and led to a number of ugly spectacles." Aloisi was "particularly angry" following his team's 1-1 draw with Melbourne City last Friday. On City's "constant foul play," Aloisi said, "It's anti-football. We're trying to grow the game in this country and they go and play anti-football like that." Former Socceroo Robbie Slater said that it could be "part of the reason fans are turning their backs at this stage," though he believes the crowds "will improve as the season goes on." Slater: "It's hard to pinpoint an exact reason. It might be a combination of things" (THE AUSTRALIAN,11/24).
