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Spectator protests in the A-Leagues have begun in the wake of the decision to sell hosting rights of the men's and women's grand finals.
- Newcastle Jets fans unveil a banner and leave their seats in protest on Friday night
- Sydney will host the A-League Men's and Women's grand finals for the next three seasons
- Brisbane Roar defeat the Jets 1-0 to go fourth on table
The domestic competitions have been engulfed in controversy this week after the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) signed a new deal that will see their showpiece grand finals hosted in Sydney for the next three years.
Friday night's match between the Jets and Brisbane Roar in Newcastle was the first A-League Men fixture to be held since the decision was announced last Monday.
Jets supporter group Terrace Novocastria departed their position in the Eastern grandstand in the 20th minute after unveiling a banner declaring "FANS > $$".
Further protests are planned at both ALM and ALW fixtures across the weekend, with several supporter groups planning walkouts.
The APL's deal with Destination NSW — worth a reported eight-figure sum that will run until the end of 2025 — has received significant backlash from football fans following Monday's announcement.
The extraordinary reaction to the decision to change the grand final policy continued with Melbourne Victory chair Anthony Di Pietro resigning from his role as an APL director.
On the pitch in Newcastle, Nikola Mileusnic secured the Roar a 1-0 win when he poked the ball past Jack Duncan in the 80th minute after the Jets' goalkeeper had saved his spectacular bicycle kick.
Jaushua Sotirio came agonisingly close to a 95th-minute equaliser with a headed effort, but Roar goalkeeper Jordan Holmes was just able to tip it onto the post.
The hosts almost scored in just the fourth minute when Beka Mikeltadze received a pass behind the Roar defence and cut the ball back to Angus Thurgate, only for his resulting effort to clatter off the meeting point of the crossbar and post.
Charlie Austin sent a tame header in on goal for the Roar in the 32nd minute, but it was comfortably claimed by Duncan.
It was a rare sighting of the former Premier League striker, who was playing his last match in Australia after agreeing to a mutual contract termination with the Roar earlier this week.
Austin is returning to the UK due to family reasons.
Leapfrogging into the top six with the win, the Roar will host Western Sydney Wanderers next Friday, while the Jets have a short turnaround to face Central Coast Mariners in a reorganised F3 Derby on Wednesday.
AAP/ABC