Crossword Genius

Supporters everywhere originally following game for free (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loose

'free' is the definition.
('loose' can be similar in meaning to 'free')

'supporters everywhere originally following game' is the wordplay.
'originally' says to take the initial letters.
'following' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'game' becomes 'loo' (historic card game found in Jane Austen novels**).
The initial letters of 'supporters everywhere' is 'se'.
'se' put after 'loo' is 'LOOSE'.

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for loose that I've seen before include "Not strict" , "Showing fast behaviour" , "Not firmly fixed" , "Relaxed; not tethered" , "Unrestrained" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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