Football Australia announces first sanctions against Melbourne Victory after AAMI Park pitch invasion

Football Australia has handed out a series of initial penalties against Melbourne Victory following ugly scenes that caused the abandonment of last weekend’s Melbourne derby.

The sanctions include banning the A-League club from selling tickets for upcoming games, only allowing valid club members to attend home matches and closing active support bays for both Victory and away fans.

Announced by Football Australia in a statement released today, the measures, in place until 15th January, have been implemented to “give immediate confidence to the fans and participants,” adding that further sanctions on the club will be determined after the conclusion of the show cause process.

In the statement, Football Australia, Chief Executive James Johnson advised “Football Australia does not wish to penalise football fans during this time,”

“However, our priority is to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone within the venue on match days and that any unacceptable behaviour by spectators are not repeated at any football match or event ever again. We believe these measures will achieve this.”

With the governing body still receiving related information on the case, which drew headlines across the world - from Victoria Police, stadium operations and security providers - Football Australia said it is also reviewing the conduct of Melbourne City supporters during the derby.

Football Australia yesterday issued a further eight bans to fans as part of its ongoing investigation into the AAMI Park pitch invasion during last weekend’s Melbourne derby which led to a player, the referee, two security guards and a cameraman being injured.

Victoria Police announced today that currently 29 people have been arrested in total as part of its investigations and have now identified 36 people in total from the incident.

With flares being lit in the crowd and thrown on to the pitch prior to the pitch invasion, Johnson conceded the game “has an issue with flares”.

He also vowed to “weed out” hooligan elements in Australian crowds before next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The sanctions come on the same day as five upcoming A-League games were postponed or given delayed kick-offs to avoid extreme heat forecasts in Adelaide and Melbourne.

Security Experts Question Pre-Game Preparations
With media focussing on the irresponsible actions of fans who invaded the pitch and halted Saturday’s A-League Melbourne derby at AAMI Park, venue security experts are questioning stewarding arrangements in place for the game.

One experienced security professional, who asked not to be named, questioned why the more than 150 members of Victoria Police could not be seen on the perimeter of the pitch at the time of the invasion of the field and couldn’t be seen during the incident.

Eddie Idik, Director of the Vital Protection Group, commented “with regards to the pitch invasion yes there seemed to be inadequate planning with the number of guards, lack of screening (flares brought into the stadium) and lack of intelligence gathering pre event as these groups are always communicating on social media and should have been picked up."

Wayne Middleton, Managing Director of RiskSense, added “I would say that these crowd related incidents do serve as a reminder of how the actions of a few, can so easily impact upon the reputation of a sport that has done so much to raise its profile, at such an important time leading into the hosting of the Womens’ World Cup next year.

“Clearly, there needs to be greater disincentives for bad behaviour at live sporting events across the country, and a deeper look into the access, possession and use of flares at football matches. They can be dangerous, a fire risk, and often inflame great passion amongst some supporters, that on this occasion, was taken too far.”

Image: A fan holding a flare prior in the AAMI Park crowd prior to the abandonment of last weekend’s Melbourne derby (top, Credit: Victoria Police) and Football Australia's James Johnson conceded the game “has an issue with flares” (below).