The spirit of Joh Bjelke-Petersen was alive and well in Sunday's display of over-policing during a match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.
While it was Marco Rojas who came back to haunt Melbourne Victory on the pitch, it was a show of Bjelke-esque brutalism from Queensland Police Service (QPS) that haunted the fans.
Footage emerged on social media site 'X' of QPS officers shoving fans, some as young as 13, outside of Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane Roar active support group the Den staged a walkout in protest in the 25th minute.
It follows a similar incident that occurred in the Sydney Derby on Saturday night, where Western Sydney Wanderers' fan group the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) staged a walkout after 14 people were evicted.
Jacob, a member of the Den, suggested that the intimidatory tactics by QPS began at a pre-match venue on Caxton Street, hours before the game.
"It started at the Hotel LA when plain clothed QPS started questioning a few of us," said Jacob.
"They asked for our licences and took down our information.
"One of them told me he hoped I wouldn't be getting up to any mischief and when I told him I don't do anything he replied "that's what they all say"," he said.
Police presence at Brisbane Roar games has been overseen by the QPS Brisbane Region Major Events Planning Unit since its establishment in 2019.
Despite low crowds at Roar games this season, a spokesperson from the QPS Major Events Planning Unit stated that increased police presence was based on the perceived threat of fans.
"Police overlay at games is based on perceived risk, which is informed by previous incidents and intelligence data," the spokesperson said.
"[Police presence] looks at what might happen, and what risks are present.
"The plain clothed officers at Hotel LA are part of our scope of events and ensure liquor compliance with fans and the venue. Our officers assume a range of duties on event days, not just crowd control."
Over-policing at Roar games has come under criticism by fans who suggest they are contributing to a hostile environment, a notion which the QPS spokesperson says is a necessary "deterrent".
"We have no issue with active support chanting but when that behaviour moves [to] standing on barriers and seats it escalates past the point where it is safe," they said.
"We look at how someone's behaviour is going to affect other people's enjoyment.
"Aisle patrols and visibility are standard practice for sporting events and are to deter people from disrupting the crowd."
The QPS spokesperson rubbished reports that police and stadium security were under instruction by Football Australia to crack down on fan behaviour, stating "we were never informed on anything of that nature."
Footage posted on 'X' showed a supporter being thrown to the ground and arrested by QPS officers outside the stadium after the fan walkout.
The supporter is seen pinned to the ground by two QPS officers, with one officer seemingly grabbing his throat while a Suncorp Stadium security guard bends his leg up behind him.
The harrowing footage evoked imagery similar to that of George Floyd's arrest, who was murdered by American policeman Derek Chauvin in 2020.
Similar images were shared on 'X' during the Sydney Derby, with police throwing fans to the ground after they were allegedly instructed by stadium security to return to their bay after the pre-match tifo presentation.
In a story published by 9News Sydney, a 228-metre long 'unauthorised' banner displayed around Commbank Stadium was allegedly the source of the police brawl.
NSW Police released a statement citing possession and ignition of flares and offensive behaviour as the cause for eviction, not the banner.
"Two people were issued an infringement notice, one for offensive behaviour and a second for igniting a flare just before full-time," the statement said.
“Inquiries continue with further action expected in relation to the possession and igniting of flares before and during the match."
The RBB maintains that the banner was known to police, stadium officials and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and that police harassment as fans returned to their seats was responsible for incidents of wrongful eviction.
A full review of footage from the Roar game was launched by QPS, with the incidents escalated to the QPS Ethical Standard Command (ESC), who are responsible for investigating allegations of unethical conduct and "serious breaches of discipline."
A spokesperson from the QPS ESC said that the officers involved in the incidents on Sunday had been referred to the Officer in Charge of the Fortitude Valley Police Station, but stressed that communication between QPS and fans was key moving forward.
"The Roar aren't going anywhere," a spokesperson said.
"The march on Caxton Street is a really inspiritational and uplifting experience and we want to get to a stage where it feels safe and comfortable.
"We enjoy good relations with the Den and need to work together to achieve better strategic outcomes moving forward."
The need for more communication with fans was a sentiment echoed by multiple levels of QPS management who are looking forward to the possibility of "constructive dialogue" with active support.
Over-policing has been endemic to the A-League since inception, with one rule for some codes and a whole heap for football.
Speaking to the Herald Sun in 2013, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Rick Nugent suggested that it took police up to 10 times as many officers to control football games than games in other codes.
"We can have 100,000 people at the MCG for Collingwood and Carlton, but yet you just don't see the number of incidents per supporter head that you do in the soccer," he said.
"We need to really look at having these elements wiped out."
Data collated by VicHealth revealed that there were six evictions at the 2013 A-League elimination final between Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory, small change compared to the 40 evictions and 12 arrests at the 2012 AFL Grand Final.
Despite this, then A-League chief Damien de Bohun echoed the autocratic sentiment of Victoria Police, promising a review of anti-social processes and the removal of unruly attendees.
de Bohun's blindsiding set the standard for subsequent fan relations, with many active support's scaling back or ceasing to exist entirely.
Melbourne City's the Melburnians and Victory's Northern Terrace were driven to extinction by sanctions imposed by stadium security and Victoria Police, with more to follow suit should the same sanctions continue.
The APL released a statement on Monday confirming they were working with all stakeholders as they launch a full review of last weekend's incidents.
Their statement is an exercise in public relations placidity, with a stronger stance needed moving forward if the APL are to right the wrongs of past administrations.
The tendrils of authoritarianism that have been suffocating the beautiful game need to be uprooted by APL chairman Stephen Conroy should the fragile ecosystem of Australian active support survive another extinction-level event.
With so much bad blood having been bled between football supporters and the game's governors in the past, showing solidarity is a sure fire way to ensure some semblance of active support remains, at least for this season.
Passion is not a crime, and while solidarity alone will not undo the over-policing in the A-League, a front united is one that will stand against the systemic subjugation of football fans by police and security.
Comments