Lack of control and incidents in Australian football: a group of fans invaded the pitch and attacked the goalkeeper with a bucket

A large group of fans invaded the playing field this Saturday during the classic between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory, for the Australian A League, and attacked the goalkeeper of the first of those teams, Tom Glover. The match was, of course, suspended.

Videos posted on social media show Glover launching a rocket while spewing orange smoke into the stands. Apparently this woke him up. anger of spectatorswho, taking advantage of the absence of a fence or perimeter fence, knocked down the advertising posters and entered the field directly.

In the middle of the crowd, and despite the presence of security personnel and members of the refereeing quartet, the fans threw a metal bucket filled with a white substance at the goalkeeper. Glover left the field dazed and bleeding.

Melbourne City’s official medical report said Glover “suffered from a concussion and severe lacerations in face”.

Because of these injuries, they said, “he was taken to Epworth hospital for further checks and was freed from any further trauma”. After his studies he returned home, where he will remain until the team doctors define when he can participate in training.

The referee, Alex King, also suffered a cut to his head. in the same accident. Australian media reported, in parallel, that a flare launched by Melbourne City fans hit a cameraman in the back from local TV.

Victory grandstand fans invaded the pitch as the match was being played in the 20th minute at AAMI Stadium. City led 1-0. Several fights broke out and the fans balanced on the crossbar of one of the goals, before play was finally stopped.

“Following scandalous scenes during the first half of the Men’s A League match between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, where Melbourne Victory FC supporters invaded the pitch, the Football Australia authorities have suspended the match,” said the bind in one note. .

Furthermore, he stated that “such behavior has no place in Australian football, con a full investigation of Football Australia which will start immediately, where heavy penalties will be imposed.

Tense atmosphere in the stadium

Tension reigned in the stadium before the match and fans of both teams had planned to leave the facilities after 20 minutes of play. in protest against the Australian Professional Leagueswhich had awarded the next three championship finals to the city of Sydney, in agreement with the New South Wales state government.

The hostile chants began immediately after the preliminary match between women’s Serie A teams.

Melbourne Victory issued a statement to “unequivocally condemn the actions of the supporters during Saturday night’s match against Melbourne City” and “formally apologize to Tom Glover, referee Alex King and the cameraman as well as all players, officials and those who witnessed this appalling sight”. .

With information from agencies.

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