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Two teenagers have been arrested after a woman and a boy suffered burns as flares were ignited at an A-League match in Melbourne on Friday.
Police say a number of flares were let off during the second half of Melbourne Victory’s clash with Brisbane Roar at Etihad stadium, leaving a woman, in her 20s, and a boy, 12, with burns.
Two teenage boys have been arrested and are assisting police with their inquiries.
North West Metro Commander Rick Nugent said letting off flares was dangerous and illegal.
“Flares are extremely dangerous. They can burn at more than 1000 degrees Celsius and are not designed to be released in highly populated areas,” he said.
“The increased criminality we are seeing at the soccer this season is completely unacceptable.”
Football Federation Australia are working with Victorian police around the incident and reiterated their zero tolerance policy on flares being brought to A-League games.
“FFA has a zero tolerance policy in relation to anti-social behaviour and will enforce all sanctions available under the Code of Conduct,” said Head of the Hyundai A-League Damien de Bohun.
“The incident last night shows the dangers of discharging flares and FFA will continue to show zero tolerance
Since the first match on October 10 this season, 38 flares have been let off and about 200 chairs broken, he said.
Commander Nugent said most of the 22,000 people attending Friday night’s match were well behaved, but a certain group of individuals had other motives.
So far this season, about 30 people have been arrested at Victorian A-League matches.
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