Key Point
- Two Melbourne Victory fans who took to the pitch at AAMI Park on Saturday have been banned for life from Football Australia.
- FA CEO James Johnson said he was working to ensure that the scene witnessed at AAMI Park “is never repeated”.
- Victoria Police have so far charged three men in the incident.
Two Melbourne Victory fans who flooded the pitch at AAMI Park have been banned for life from Football Australia, including one who allegedly hit Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover with a metal bucket .
Saturday night’s A-League men’s derby was forced to be called off after heavy pitch encroachment at AAMI Park.
Glover suffered a concussion and facial laceration when he was hit by a bucket swung by a pitch invader, and referee Alex King was also injured in the incident.
A TV cameraman was injured in a direct flare hit, and two security guards were also wounded.
Football Australia (FA) said a 23-year-old man from Craigieburn had already been charged by Victorian police on charges including assault and missile launching. Using the item (bucket) for the purpose of causing damage. ”
A 19-year-old man from Meadow Heights has been charged with assaulting another Glover and assaulting a security guard.
He was convicted by the FA of “entering the playing field without authorization and engaging in any conduct that may or may have caused or endangered others.”
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said in a statement: “The actions of these two men, and others with whom we have concerns, are completely unacceptable and we regret their actions. are never welcome in our game.Forbidden to come.
“Football has a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive, disruptive, violent and anti-social conduct at sanctioned events and any actions that may threaten the safety or security of spectators, players and officials. I do not condone certain acts.
“These serious bans on 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.”
The pair are banned from participating in any Football Australia sanctioned football match, including A-League, Australian Cup, NPL, Football and Matildas matches. Also, it is no longer possible to register as a football participant.
Victoria Police identified five more men on Tuesday, and five more remain unsolved.
Victory has until 9am (AEDT) Wednesday to show the FA why it “should not be severely sanctioned for discrediting the game.”
The FA said it would impose harsh sanctions, including deducting points, fines and forcing Victory to play behind closed doors.
The governing body of the game will also have to decide whether Saturday’s derby results are valid. City were leading 1-0 before the match was abandoned.
The proximity of Victory’s next match against Western United at AAMI Park on Boxing Day could mean the FA imposes interim sanctions in the short term.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/football-australia-issues-two-lifetime-bans-over-melbourne-a-league-pitch-invasion/vf3fxbmc4 Melbourne A-League pitch invasion: Football Australia issues two permanent suspensions.
