Two Melbourne Victory fans who rushed the AAMI Park pitch, including one who allegedly hit Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover with a metal bucket, have received life bans from Football Australia.
Saturday night’s violent pitch invasion at AAMI Park forced the abandonment of the A-League Men derby.
Glover suffered a concussion and facial laceration when he was hit by the bucket wielded by a pitch invader and referee Alex King was also injured in the incident.
A television cameraman was hurt after being struck by a flare while two security guards were also injured.
FA said the 23-year-old ‘Bucket Man’, who has already been charged by Victoria Police with violent disorder and discharging a missile, among other offences, had been found guilty of “entering the field of play without authorisation and using an item (bucket) with the intent to cause damage or harm.”
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)
A 19-year-old man had been charged by police in relation to a separate alleged assault on Glover, as well as an alleged assault on a security guard.
He has been found guilty by FA “of entering the field of play without authorisation and engaging in conduct that did or was likely to cause harm or endanger others”.
“The actions of these two, and others who are of interest to us, are completely unacceptable and those people and their behaviours will never be welcome in our game,” Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said in a statement, indicating there would be more bans to come.
“Football has a zero-tolerance policy to disruptive, destructive, violent, and anti-social behaviour at its sanctioned events, and it will not tolerate behaviour that has the potential to threaten the safety or security of spectators, players, and officials.
“These significant bans against these individuals are consistent with this position.
“Football Australia is working around the clock on this investigation to ensure that the scenes witnessed at AAMI Park in Melbourne are never repeated again.”
The pair are banned from attending all Football Australia-sanctioned football matches, including A-Leagues, Australia Cup, NPL, Socceroos and Matildas games.
They also can no longer register as football participants.
A further five men were identified by Victoria Police on Tuesday, with another five people still outstanding.
(Photo credit should read Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Victory have until 9am AEDT on Wednesday to show FA why they “should not face serious sanctions for bringing the game into disrepute”.
FA has made it clear it will dish out tough sanctions, with points deductions, fines and forcing Victory to play behind closed doors all options on the table.
The game’s governing body also needs to decide whether the result of Saturday’s derby will stand – City were leading 1-0 before the match was abandoned.
The proximity to Victory’s next game – away to Western United at AAMI Park on Boxing Day – may mean FA hands out interim sanctions in the short term.
ac
Guest
What disappoints me about commenting on the football tab is the horrible way people respond to each other if they don’t agree. I believe sincerely this seems to go against the good natured mess of the Australian way of looking at things. Every comment is a fair one with value - here that’s not. Case. I believe the problem with A league is that a lot of fans want the attention which should be going to the game itself and the players. Matter of fact that’s one thing I e noticed. Most comments are about vitriol about some issue. Very few positive comments. How about trying to unite and get on no matter what opinion or team you support. Plus how about stop comparing football with others codes. The reality is football is a long way back from the other codes - that’s a reality.
Cpaaa
Guest
Hi everyone, I’m just wanting to welcome all the first time commentators that don’t like football and offering their opinions on how to fix stuff. Thankyou your comments are much appreciated.
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
It's very easy to get around it. Contrary to what certain people on this website think, security is very lax in Australian stadia. The best solution? Punitive fines. A minimum $50k fine instead of a $5k one will make people think twice. No life bans. Let them come back, but they'll be $50k and a very bruised ego poorer.
matth
Roar Guru
I read that some of the offending ‘fans’ were already banned but had got in anyway
Marcel
Guest
6mths searching for the golden rivet is a pretty good disincentive for these wannabe gangsta types
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
You're a clueless goat, Ad-O. Buy the ticket with a fake name, number and email. Oh my god that was hard!! Stewards are made aware of who's coming, but are in no position to actively enforce it when the last minute rush to get in the stadium happens. There isn't a wall of photos of banned people at every gate, and they aren't paid enough to remember them all. And - believe me on this because I've had a mate who did security as his University job - they aren't browsing through the CCTV footage during the match hunting for banned people.
Tony
Roar Guru
Exactly :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
Interstate
Tony
Roar Guru
Just walk up to the ticket window and tap your credit card. Simple.
Tony
Roar Guru
Not yet
Tony
Roar Guru
Let's hope so, and name and shame them as well
Tony
Roar Guru
Not possible
Tony
Roar Guru
If only
Aiden
Guest
It would make me feel better, and would be a great workout for the person doing the bashing.
Aiden
Guest
Banned from all forms of FA connected football, including NPL. Good. I'd like to see the AFL ban them for good measure. Just ban them from sport. Can't see how they will be stopped from attending NPL games. I've been a marshal at NPL games, I'm usually half asleep and having a chat. I'll make sure to keep my eyes open for Horda T-Shirts, bad haircuts, bucket hats and a generally thick demeanor ... but beyond that not sure what can be done.
AGO74
Guest
Yes I agree and to be honest the OSM has to be completely disbanded. I've got a post elsewhere waiting to be moderated (not sure why?) but in the lead up to last weeks game where all other active groups put out a singular statement condemning the GF decision in a reasoned yet forceful way, the OSM made six lengthy rambling, vitriolic and highly inflammatory posts. None of these posts outright said 'storm the pitch' but by the same token when you see that level of rancour by the leadership of the group, its not totally surprising that 150+ people took to the pitch.....
AGO74
Guest
In principle life bans are questionable in their ability to be enforced, but if the person has a criminal conviction hanging over their head then that certainly does the increase the risk to the goon trying to get in (ie. best case loss of employment, worst case jail) so hopefully that is the real deterrent.
Marcel
Guest
There may be a quiet conversation with him off the record. No one outside of some internet loons thinks he has caused this.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
totally agree, not seeking all persons on the field says that if you dont actually hurt anyone then you can go onto the field and not get in trouble. I think all people who entered the field should have their photo in the paper requesting help to identify them and then get the life ban as well
Paul
Guest
Should be incarcerated until the end of the WWC at the very least. We cannot afford anything to tarnish a FIFA tournament.