Australian football riot

[wilts rover]

Yesterday the Melbourne derby was abandoned after fans from both sides invaded the pitch, attacked one another and the players.

Apparently the reason behind this was the awarding of the end of season play-off final to Syndey.

All seems a bit extreme to me. Can our Syd, or anyone else, explain this a bit more for a confused pom?

[donnievic]

No it was because a fan threw a flare onto to pitch near the keeper and then the keeper threw it back into the crowd,then fans invaded the pitch to get at the keeper and chucked a bucket at him with sand in what they use to put the flares out

[DaveDRFC]

From what I have read, currently the final is held at the home ground of whoever finished higher in the league. The Australian FA wanted to give it more of a Wembley playoffs feel and have the final at a neutral venue, but that hasn't gone down very well.

The pitch invasion was disgusting, whoever threw the bucket at the keeper and ref need locking up, not just banning from football.

[donnievic]

From what I have read, currently the final is held at the home ground of whoever finished higher in the league. The Australian FA wanted to give it more of a Wembley playoffs feel and have the final at a neutral venue, but that hasn't gone down very well.

The pitch invasion was disgusting, whoever threw the bucket at the keeper and ref need locking up, not just banning from football.

it was caused by the keeper throwing flare back into the fans

[DaveDRFC]

If that's the case, it was caused by whichever d**khead threw it on the pitch, not by the goalkeeper throwing it back.

[phil o sophical]

From the clip I saw it looked like the keeper threw the flare over advertising board rather than into the crowd.

[SydneyRover]

''On Saturday night, both sets of fans had planned to walk out at the 20-minute mark as part of a protest towards the Australian Professional Leagues' decision to sell the next three grand finals to Sydney. Fans had also been throwing flares''

Looks like the stage was already set and the action of a fan throwing a flare onto the pitch was the catalyst the goalie may get some sort of sanction too.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-19/police-release-images-of-soccer-pitch-invasion/101786688



Flares have always been around in Aus football and authorities are unable to stop them being brought to games.

[Colin C No.3]

Can they not stop fans from invading the field of play in numbers to such an extent where the stewards were clearly overwhelmed & unable to stop such an invasion, to such an extent where ‘a fan’ was able to pick up a bucket used to dowse flares, which was full of sand or ash & use it as a ‘weapon’ to use on the opposing goalkeeper (who subsequently required 37 stitches) & the referee who also needed hospital treatment.

This is not ‘Aussie Rules’ where stitches, loss of teeth & onfield fisticuffs are common place.

Well done Australia for your exploits in this years World Cup, but your your top domestic sides & their fan base need to realise that what we have seen during the game between these two Melbourne rivals not only has no place in ‘the beautiful game’ it also negates the achievements made by your national side.

Shame on you.

[aidanstu]

A few years back I was lucky enough to watch the A League Grand Final against Sydney and Melbourne in Melbourne. The Melbourne fans are absolutely fanatical and created one of the best atmosphere I have ever experienced. They marched through the city about 2 hours before kickoff. Honestly if was spectacular.

Not sure what happened this time round but understand how it easily could of given the passion out there.

[ck-rtid]

3 people issued with life bans covering all football activities, watching, playing, coaching etc. they have also been charged with multiple offences and will appear in court in february