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Melbourne Victory will present their response to Football Australia’s show cause notice for their fans’ violent derby pitch invasion, with the A-League powerhouse bracing for point deductions, fines and crowd bans.
Victory have until 9am AEDT today to show why they “should not face serious sanctions for bringing the game into disrepute” after their active fans stormed the AAMI Park pitch on Saturday night, forcing the abandonment of their A-League Men match.
Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover was hit by a metal bucket wielded by a pitch invader, suffering a facial laceration and a concussion. Referee Alex King was also injured.
A television cameraman was hurt after being struck by a flare, while two security guards were also injured.
Victoria Police say about 50 flares were lit in the stands with at least three thrown onto the field, while about $120,000 worth of damage was done to the venue.
FA has made it clear it will dish out tough sanctions to Victory while 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.
Two Victory fans have already copped lifetime bans from Football Australia, preventing them from any association with the game, including as spectators of FA-sanctioned matches or as registered players.
The 23-year-old man who struck Glover with the bucket has been charged by Victoria Police with a string of offences, including violent disorder. A 19-year-old man is also alleged to have assaulted a security guard.
A further five men were identified by Victoria Police on Tuesday, with another five people still to be found.
© AAP
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