Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold says fan boycotts are the biggest problem to ever face the A-League and has called for a quick resolution.
Sydney FC supporter group The Cove has vowed to boycott Friday's clash with the Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium amid tension between fans and the game's administrators.
Cove spokesman Grant Muir told SBS News Sydney FC fans, along with fans from other clubs, were planning to boycott matches this week.
"I don’t think the [Football Federation Australia] understands how unified we are in this, and they need to because we don’t want to do this," Muir said.
Wanderers fans staged a walkout last weekend, as did supporters of Melbourne Victory, as fans demand the FFA institute a transparent appeals process for fans banned from stadiums.
"Even a murderer gets that right….and we’ll continue to agitate for the changes that we believe the sport needs until we get them," Muir said.
Asked if the divide between fans and administrators was the biggest problem faced by the FFA in the 11-year-history of the A-League, Arnold said: "Yes."
"Without the TV rights and without the fans there is no game in this country.
"It's something that you want to go away very quickly.
"We're into round nine this week. It's not like we're into the end of the season. Supporter groups have a right to have a say.
"No one condones misbehaviour at games. You'd hope that if there has been misbehaviour then you'd hope FFA get it right.
"If they get it wrong then the fans have a right to a hearing to say that."
The issue of ban appeals has been at the heart of fan anger since News Corp Australia published names and photos of 198 banned A-League fans 10 days ago.
Supporters are fuming the FFA is still insisting that fans seeking to have a ban overturned must prove their innocence while the governing body won't disclose evidence used to ban them.
Arnold wanted urgent action to resolve the spiralling crisis.
"It's something that needs to be addressed because we can't afford to lose the fans," he said.
"If it's not addressed, how do you win them back? It's massive.
"We've got a game in two days and the Wanderers are playing this weekend and you've got supporters groups saying they're boycotting the games so it's extremely sad."
While supporter groups slammed FFA CEO David Gallop's handling of the matter at a media conference on Tuesday, Arnold believed the former NRL boss understood the seriousness of the situation.
"I think he's been here long enough to know how passionate the sport is. I think he understands that," said Arnold.
The former Socceroos coach believed the events of the past week had opened some eyes in the Australian sporting community.
"I think people are now realising how passionate people are about this sport," said Arnold.
"It's totally different to rugby league and it's totally different to other sports and it's a worldwide sport. Australia is multicultural and they've got blood in their line from countries that are passionate about football.
"For me that's the biggest thing - the RBB and The Cove are showing how passionate they are about their clubs and the sport. They want a voice."
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