In the wake of ugly crowd clashes in Melbourne last week, the FFA has put the Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory on notice by announcing they will be stripped of three crucial competition points if their fans misbehave again this season.

It's an unprecedented move in the A-League and Capital Football boss Heather Reid said it would help stamp out troublemakers.

Reid said Capital Football would consider adopting the same stance instead of fining clubs and officials for the behaviour of fans.

Capital Football slapped Canberra FC with an $8500 fine two years ago when drunk and abusive fans lit flares at the grand final. The fine was reduced to $2000 after mediation.

''We need some measures that demonstrate to our clubs that there are more penalties than suspending players, officials or issuing fines,'' Reid said.

''Spectators behaving badly and bring the sport into disrepute … we have considered previously taking points away from teams when their fans behave inappropriately.

''The precedent is there now from the FFA. It has a broader impact on the club and sends a message to the fans. The fans have to get the message that their behaviour needs to be better managed.''

The Wanderers and Victory have until Tuesday to appeal their suspended sentences. A violent brawl between fans broke out at a Melbourne pub last Saturday with at least eight people taken to hospital. Later, a number of Wanderers fans lit flares and explosive devices at AAMI Park.

Wanderers fans also caused trouble in Canberra last August at a pre-season match. They lit flares and culprits faced five-year bans.

Capital Football takes a tough stance on crowd behaviour.

The 2011 13-goal thriller grand final between Canberra FC and Canberra Olympic was overshadowed by off-field incidents. FC was initially given an $8500 fine, a $10,000 good-behaviour bond and was docked six premiership points for the start of this season, but it was slashed to just a $2000 fine upon appeal.

Olympic was given a $1000 suspended fine.

''We identified one or two of the key perpetrators and we took action against individuals,'' Reid said.

''What happened in Melbourne was much, much bigger than what happened in Canberra.

''But the penalties send a very clear message to the Western Sydney Wanderers that they have to get their supporters managed.

''The sanctions for deducting points are a welcome move if you're going to have a broader impact other than hitting the club in the hip pocket.