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NPL 2026

From the Herald Sun


Ben Higgins

July 19, 2026 - 4:30PM

Preston Lions under fire after supporter group’s racist, sexist behaviour Football Victoria has labelled a Preston Lions supporter group’s behaviour a disgrace to our game after sexist and racist banners were displayed at a game.

There is mounting pressure for Preston Lions to ban its “ultra” supporter group, Preston Boys. The supporter group displayed sexist and racist banners before and during Saturday’s match against South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium. Football Victoria released a statement on Sunday labelling the behaviour of the group “abhorrent”, saying it had “disgraced our game”. Preston Lions said the banners were only briefly displayed before being removed by officials.

On the pitch, the blockbuster clash between old rivals, sitting fourth and sixth on the ladder, finished nil-all. Fourth-placed Preston is in danger of being hit with a three-point deduction with a suspended penalty hanging over the club following last year’s controversial fan behaviour during the preliminary final against Heidelberg United. The club had told supporters “no unauthorised banners or tifos” were allowed, only “PLFC approved banners” but they were still allowed entry. “Preston Lions FC condemns the display of inappropriate banners at yesterday’s match,” the club said in a statement. “These actions do not reflect our club or the vast majority of our supporters. Security measures were in place, and the banners were removed immediately by ground marshals and security. “We remain committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for everyone. “We will be working with the relevant authorities to identify the individual(s) responsible. “We ask the supporters involved to come forward to the club and take responsibility. If you have any information please email gm@plfc.com.au. The club will not tolerate this behaviour.” Football Victoria said the behaviour intended to “provoke, divide and inflame”. It has launched an investigation and would consider disciplinary action. “Yet again, one of NPL Victoria’s showcase fixtures has been overshadowed by the abhorrent actions of a small group of individuals whose behaviour has disgraced our game,” the statement said. “The scenes that unfolded surrounding the NPL Victoria match between South Melbourne FC and Preston Lions FC on Saturday, in the PLFC supporter stand and on the march to the venue by a group of PLFC supporters, were deliberately intended to provoke, divide and inflame. These acts were disgraceful and the people who committed them deserve no place in our sporting community.” These people are not football supporters. Football is not a platform for hatred, intimidation or vilification. Anyone who chooses to weaponise our game in that way is attacking everything that football stands for. “Football Victoria (FV) will work with the relevant club stakeholders, Victoria Police and venue operators to identify those responsible and pursue every available sanction. “We have also commenced a full investigation into all incidents arising from Saturday’s match in accordance with our competition regulations. That process will include consideration of any existing disciplinary sanctions that may be applicable.
 
All due respect but unless i’m missing something there is no way any punishment should be handed out apart from maybe a few individual bans. Very surprised about the amount of statements coming out so quickly from FV and clubs. I had to look hard to find what they were talking about, all I could see was statements & once I found out what it was, personally I don’t think it is something that warrants a lengthy FFV statement 😂
 
superpolska said:
All due respect but unless i’m missing something there is no way any punishment should be handed out apart from maybe a few individual bans. Very surprised about the amount of statements coming out so quickly from FV and clubs. I had to look hard to find what they were talking about, all I could see was statements & once I found out what it was, personally I don’t think it is something that warrants a lengthy FFV statement 😂
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They were chanting hellas hellas turkiye and i'd rather be an abo than a Greek all game. They were trying to provoke a reaction.
 
superpolska said:
All due respect but unless i’m missing something there is no way any punishment should be handed out apart from maybe a few individual bans. Very surprised about the amount of statements coming out so quickly from FV and clubs. I had to look hard to find what they were talking about, all I could see was statements & once I found out what it was, personally I don’t think it is something that warrants a lengthy FFV statement 😂
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Few individuals? It's always the same thing bullsh*t with preston lions
 
superpolska said:
All due respect but unless i’m missing something there is no way any punishment should be handed out apart from maybe a few individual bans. Very surprised about the amount of statements coming out so quickly from FV and clubs. I had to look hard to find what they were talking about, all I could see was statements & once I found out what it was, personally I don’t think it is something that warrants a lengthy FFV statement 😂
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You still employed as the Bulgar/Slav PR rep??
 
superpolska said:
This has been happening for 30 years, who cares. It’s not only Preston that chant it. And you guys chant the same thing to them…
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Show me the chants on our end.. or a banner??? Go on champ!

Except for most this stop happening a long time ago.. internet runs slow north of the Greek border and that confused diaspora it seems!
 
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Athenian Demosthenes said:
Few individuals? It's always the same thing bullsh*t with preston lions
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The best lie in history is at the bottom.. we will be working with authorities to find the individuals blah blah blah... like they found them the other times!! Regular Sherlock Holmes these ppl..

Nothing short of a ban here! FV should go for jugular here so they learn to finally act like normal ppl or fck off.
 
superpolska said:
If that is all, then it’s astonishing the outcry that’s happened. I feel that if it was the other way around, FV would turn a blind eye let alone make a statement… 1 edgy slightly offensive banner 🤦‍♂️
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You running a 2 for the price of 1 deal on the banners? The burning of a flag falls outside the scope and the chants are plainly misread we get it... all good! Sorry that WE took offence!
 
superpolska said:
Who cares what that clown has to say. He’s more racist than any “offending banners”
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Look I agree but what I can’t stand he has a platform and general people read it.
That’s what I dislike more than anything - give this joker one sniff of fuel he’s on line straight away acting like he’s some kind of polly of the game.
 
Hellenic_blue&white said:
You running a 2 for the price of 1 deal on the banners? The burning of a flag falls outside the scope and the chants are plainly misread we get it... all good! Sorry that WE took offence!
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Not seen any proof of any national flags being burnt. If this is proven to have happened then that takes things to another level. 2 for 1? The main banner seemed okay albeit childish, it’s a rivalry
 
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