FA vow 'strongest sanctions available' after 'unforgivable' A-League scenes, Victory fan group issue statement

Football Australia plans to use the full force of its powers to sanction fans who stormed the pitch during the A-League Men Melbourne Derby in one of the ugliest scenes in the competition’s history.

Fans from the Melbourne Victory active area rushed the pitch soon after the 20-minute mark of Saturday night’s game at AAMI Park and Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover was left with a cut head and a suspected concussion after he was struck by a metal bucket.

Speaking on Sunday, FA CEO James Johnson committed to punishing those responsible with the ‘strongest sanctions that are available’, as a Victoria Police investigation into the incident continues.

“This is an element that goes beyond football,” Johnson said.

“It’s an element that infiltrates our game and that really try to ruin it for the two million people that love our sport.

“It’s those people that we will be targeting in this investigation and that we will weed out of the sport.”

Victory managing director Caroline Carnegie said the club is ‘distressed and appalled’ by the scenes, as they await financial or points penalties for the riot. The club could even be forced to play future matches behind closed doors.

“We’ve tried to work with our fans in a number of different ways to make sure that they can be here to support the club and do it in the right way,” Carnegie said

“I think last night shows us that we’ve come to a point in time where what we’ve been doing probably hasn’t been as successful as we’d like and we just can’t condone what went on.

“There’s only so many ways I can say it but the behaviour was appalling and we’ll stand up and be part of that investigation and see what happens as a result.”

Victory supporter group Original Style Melbourne, allegedly one of the primary instigators of the scenes, took to Instagram to release a statement condemning the riot.

“We strongly condemn the actions of a minority of active fans at yesterday’s derby,” the statement reads.

“Our protest yesterday was intended to unite all fans. A vital element of the campaign against the APL decision, was that the walkout and protest remained peaceful, so as not to take away and distract from our argument.

“OSM leadership fully understand the genuine sadness, anger and frustration at what happened last night. The events which transpired, although uncontrollable, happened under our watch, and we take full responsibility for that.

“Therefore, we apologize to the Victory fanbase, players, and staff who have constantly backed us.

“Football fans in this country remaining united and peaceful in their protest, was, and still is, the only path forward.”

Both sets of fans had been throwing flares onto the playing arena.

But the situation escalated when a flare appeared to hit a Network 10 cameraman, then exploded when Glover picked another one off the ground and threw it back into the stands.

The incident was captured in this shocking fan footage below.

Fans then rushed the pitch and Glover was struck by the metal bucket, which is used to dispose of flares, and immediately started bleeding from his temple, requiring medical assistance.

Players from both teams were quickly rushed down the tunnel and the game was paused before officials made the decision to abandon the fixture.

A bleeding Tom Glover of Melbourne City is escorted from the pitch by team mates after fans stormed the pitch. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

There had been a tense atmosphere to start to the match with both sets of active fans planning to leave the game at the 20-minute mark as part of a protest towards the Australian Professional Leagues.

Fans across the competition were protesting the league’s decision to sell the next three grand finals to Sydney.

Both sets of fans started “f*** the APL” chants immediately after the preceding A-League Women’s game finished.

Victory and City fans each unfurled banners pre-game and as the half unfolded, referencing their displeasure with the APL.

Victory fans let off small fireworks then flares, while their goalkeeper Paul Izzo had to help dispose of flares thrown by City fans.

The game then descended into chaos.

Fans storm the pitch in protest during the round eight A-League Men’s match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

City led 1-0 when the game stopped, courtesy of Aiden O’Neill’s goal in the 11th minute.

Football Australia released a short statement on Saturday after the abandonment.

It read, in full:

“Following shocking scenes during the first half of the A-League Men’s match between Melbourne Victory FC and Melbourne City FC at AAMI Park on Saturday 17 December, where fans from the Melbourne Victory FC end entered the field of play, Football Australia match officials have abandoned the match in accordance with Law 5.3 of the Laws of the Game in order to protect the integrity of the match.

“Such behaviour has no place in Australian Football, with a full Football Australia investigation to commence immediately, where strong sanctions to be handed down.” 

The incident caused shock and outrage with football fans across the country.

The incident was condemned throughout Australian football, with Matildas captain and Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr writing on Twitter it was a “very sad day for football in Aus”.

“Our game is in tatters. An absolute disgrace what happened tonight,” Socceroos and Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic said on Twitter.

“Irreparable damage done. Darkest day for football in Australia.”

Former Adelaide United striker and current Network 10 pundit Bruce Djite told AAP it was hard to see how Australian football could recover and said FA needed to “throw the library at Melbourne Victory.”

A group of Victory fans hurled glass bottles and abuse at Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah when she was playing against them for City in January 2021.

Micah wasn’t surprised by the latest incident and said all she’d received was an “apology”.

“Melbourne Victory continues to ALLOW their fans to get away with this behaviour!” she said.

“It’s a disgrace!!”

(with AAP)