FFA should deduct points if it means getting rid of flares

If the threat of your own club losing points and getting fined isn't enough of a deterrent, then clearly you are not fans at all.

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Football Federation Australia has licence and support to get as heavy-handed as they like in order to rub out this sort of behaviour - deduct points, hand out fines and bans, whatever. As long as it stops.

Lighting flares and setting off detonators at the football isn't passion - it is illegal.

People wonder why our great game is splashed all over the front pages when things go wrong? It is because thugs like this can't keep their behaviour within the letter of the law. 

It is a blight on the game, on their club and on their fellow fans, the majority of who are reasoned, passionate individuals. 

Tension between the FFA and fans is well documented, but everyone was getting along, until the familiar cloud of smoke emerged from those clad in red and black, flares accompanied by detonators. 

How moronic do you have to be to think it's a good idea to let off detonators in a crowded football stadium in the current climate?

After what happened outside the Stade de France last year, you would have to have rocks in your head to think it is funny. 

The RBB, and the active support of the A-League's other nine clubs, have done fantastic work and the atmosphere at football matches, particularly at Pirtek Stadium, is absolutely superb, but flares and detonators add nothing to it. 

The FFA needs to dish out whatever punishment it takes to rub this element out of the game, because this minority cares only for themselves, not their club or the integrity of the game.

This minority of fans is just as bad as the anti-football fraternity who use the fans' actions to try and tear the game down on the front pages.

Their behaviour is ink for the poison pens - and it needs to stop.

Follow @MattConnellan