Please Read:
I am writing in response to a problem I feel is not only discriminatory by nature, but to a decision that threatens to engulf the delicate fabric of Australia's multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural society.
In anticipation for the May 25 football friendly, Australia vs. Greece, the FFA without prior warning to ticket sales, recently introduced a new clause stating that Prohibited Items brought to this match shall include:
"National or political flags or emblems (except for the recognised national flag of each of the competing teams) or offensive or inappropriate banners, whether written in English or a foreign language;"
I believe that the Greek Community of Australia, stands together with all peaceful football groups in this country in promoting a non-violent, and friendly sporting atmosphere. However, when scrutinised, the policy of the FFA can only be viewed as counter-productive, as such a ban on national flags, 'political' flags and even the Greek language can only be interpreted as an attack on the heart of Greek National Identity. This decision aims to suppress those very core elements such as culture, history, religion, language and notions of homeland that have constituted the legacy of Greek national self-consciousness for centuries. Further, by setting a precedent, the FFA is sending a powerful message to all ethnic Australians that pluralism will not be tolerated in this country. I feel this message of segregation is wrong, and it is damaging.
The Greek Community of Australia has always acted in a way that preserves the Australian way of life. The size of this community (a projections upwards of 1 million people) including first generation migrants, large second and third generations as well as those individuals of part Greek decent who voluntarily recognise themselves as Greek-Australians. Areas of exceptional achievement include sport, where Greek Australians have represented Australia at the highest international level. Contributions in areas of arts include film and cinematography, architecture, academia and research. In the domain of politics, Greek Australians fill posts in all levels of domestic government, whilst the large Diaspora community acts as a bridge that links Australia to the rest of the world. In economic terms, the participation of the Greek Australian Community can only be judged as overwhelmingly beneficial and pivotal in terms of enhancing the intellectual and skilled infrastructure of this country. Most importantly, the Greek Australian Community leads by example when describing the success of Australia's multicultural way of life. Greek Australians are admired in this country and the rest of the world because they uphold the most important values of our nation- the values of tolerance, cooperation and mutual coexistence.
The decision of the FFA is upsetting because it violates one of the most important human rights that exist. This is the right of self-expression. Further, since the actions of the FFA have never been imposed on any other of Australia's ethnic groups, I can only reason that the FFA is trying to portray Greek Australians as a bunch of howling, Byzantine uncivilised barbarians. This is something Greek Australians are clearly not, and something distasteful. It must be emphacised that football as a sporting code is still at a stage of development in Australia. There are many Australians who are new arrivals to its popularity, who listen to press reports and are easily influenced by governing bodies such as the FFA. Under such conditions, I believe the FFA is orchestrating an effort to mislead the Australian public on the nature and importance of Greek National Identity. The FFA clearly lacks the willingness to understand the complexity of issues that define what it means to be a ‘Greek Australian’. The FFA rather than promoting Australia's richness and diversity, is promoting a policy of 'ethnic isolation'. Here, it is the FFA who is failing to recognise Australian values, and not the Greek Australian Community.
Greek supporters view the actions of the FFA as discriminatory for a variety of complex, but understandable reasons.
Firstly, by imposing a restriction on ‘all national flags other than the official Greek flag’, the FFA is failing to acknowledge the inseparable closeness of the entire Greek nation. Whilst the national flag is a very powerful and important Greek symbol, the FFA does not realise the simple fact that the Greek nation, and the Greek state are two different entities. For example, a large Greek speaking population resides in Cyprus, a country with its own national flag. The decision by the FFA effectively excludes Cypriot Australians waving the flag of Cyprus to support the Greek National team. This cultural practice between Greeks and Cypriots simply reflects the historical and ethnic closeness of two homelands. To my best knowledge, Australia is the first nation in the world that has imposed such a restriction between Greeks and Cypriots in sport. Further, I am sure this decision by the FFA will not be viewed in positive terms abroad, and will portray Australia badly.
Secondly, by imposing a restriction on 'political flags or emblems', the FFA fails to acknowledge the diversity of the entire Greek Nation. This decision not only fails to address what constitutes a 'political flag’ or ‘emblem', but also bans every politically correct flag belonging to the Greek homeland. Territory has always played an important role in the formation of Greek national identity. The practice of identifying yourself to a specific territory within a state or nation is not unique to Greeks, nor is it considered politically incorrect either. For example, it is common for Australians to identify themselves at a regional level, as a ‘Queenslander’, ‘New South-Welshman’, ‘Victorian’, ‘Tasmanian’, ‘South Australian’, ‘Western Australian’, ‘Canberran’ etc. In many cases, separate states or territories consist of their own unique flag, which is often seen at sporting events. For Greek Australians, notions of homeland may include all current (and non-current) Greek territories of ancestry or birth (such as Achaea, Aetolia-Acarnania, Arcadia, Argolis, Attica, Chalcidice, Chania, Cyclades, Elis, Euboea, Evros, Heraklion, Imathia, Ionnina, Kavala, Kefalonica, Kozani, Laconia, Larissa, Lasithi, Lesbos, Magnesia, Messinia, Pella, Phocis, Phthiotis, Preveza, Rethymno, Samos, Serres, Thessaloniki, Boeotia). If a 'political flag or emblem' is defined in administrative terms, then it is also politically correct for Greek Australians to support the Greek National team with any Greek regional flag of their choice. The FFA’s decision fails to recognise that many regional differences exist amongst all Greeks alike, and that many Greek Australians define their loyalty to Greece according to smaller territorial units. Regardless, how a Greek Australian chooses to display his/her identity should not be left to the discretion of the FFA. This is an individual choice (the freedom of self expression) and one of the very basic freedoms of this country.
Thirdly, by imposing a ban on emblems the FFA fails to understand that sacred national symbols cannot be separated from national identity because they themselves are a part of it. Just as the boxing Kangaroo has become a popular icon representing Australia, many Greek emblems are also in existence. These emblems are often embedded deep in history and remind all Greek people of a long and proud past. For example, one very popular Greek emblem is the "Double Headed Eagle of Byzantium". Religious by nature, the Double Headed Eagle was the official symbol of the Greek Kingdom of Byzantium, and is still the official seal of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch. It relates Greek identity along confessional lines, where the majority of Greek Australians are of the Greek Orthodox faith. The FFA has no right to deny Greek Australians the privilege of displaying and such symbols.
Finally, I wish to discuss my opinion towards the FFA's ban on ‘offensive or inappropriate banners, whether written in English or a foreign language’. Firstly, the Greek language is not a 'foreign language' because it is spoken widely in Australia. English is recognised as the official language and Greek Australians are proficient in its use. The Australian Government has always been a defender of pluralism in language supporting Greek print newspapers as well as Greek language in many Australian universities and tertiary learning Institutions. Secondly, given that Greek Australians have a vested interest in the prosperity of both the Australian and Greek National teams, I expect a great atmosphere of friendliness from both fans. Thirdly, I feel that any banner written in the Greek language may be confiscated, given the discriminatory behaviour the FFA has shown thus far. Unless the FFA has plans to provide security personnel who are fluent in both the Greek and English language, no guarantee of fair treatment can be given to the Greek Australian supporters. Evidence suggests that the opposite will occur, where the FFA will attempt to screen any banner, written in any language it chooses to describe as 'foreign'. Given that the Greek language is probably the most powerful characteristic of Greek national identity, the FFA needs to set more transparent guidelines on this issue. Specifically, it needs to reveal plans to ensure that Greek Australians arriving with banners written in Greek are not treated discriminatively.
In conclusion, I would like to emphacise that the FFA has not acted in a way that upholds the multicultural elements of Australian society.
·It has not acted with tolerance, and fails to realise the dual elements of the Greek Australian Community.
·The FFA has not acted in co-operation or with empathy, avoiding consultation with the Greek Australian Community at all levels.
·The FFA did not acted with transparency, choosing to wait until after tickets were sold to announce a policy it knew would marginalise Greek Australian supporters.
·The FFA is implementing restrictions on self-expression; a basic freedom extended to all football fans alike, worldwide.
·The policy of the FFA has far-reaching implications, as it conveys the message that Australian institutions are inherently racist.
·Whilst this international football match is scheduled as a 'friendly', it can be guaranteed with certainty that the FFA will be criticised abroad, harming the image of sport in this country.
Justifiably, until the FFA agrees to amend its racist stance, Greek Australians together with the assistance of the wider Greek Nation, will continue to protest.
kind regards,
Contact the FFA by email to express you opinion.
Despina@footballaustralia.com.au
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