Mob bets on the goalkeeper: the Melbourne derby ends in blood and fury

Mob goes for the goalkeeper
The Melbourne derby ends in blood and fury

12/18/2022, 09:48

In Australia, a football match ends prematurely after an outbreak of violence: fireworks injure a cameraman, fans attack the goalkeeper and even the referee is injured. The police announce: “We will be knocking on doors soon.”

After violent fan riots in Melbourne, Australian city police announced they would crack down on the fans responsible. Authorities said they were looking for the perpetrators. “I suspect we’ll be knocking on doors very soon,” said Inspector Jason Goddard, describing himself as a football fan.

The riots had led to the scrapping of the match between local rivals Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City on Saturday. City goaltender Tom Glover and referee Alex King and a cameraman were injured. The cameraman was hit by a firecracker. Glover suffered a bleeding head laceration and a concussion when he was hit by a bucket full of sand meant to dump the collected fireworks. The referee was also hit in the head by the bullet while trying to protect Glover.

According to police, 134 stewards were on duty at AAMI Stadium, more than for a cricket match at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground, according to Goddard. The teams fled to the dressing rooms after around 150 fans stormed the pitch. After a nearly 45-minute break, play was finally stopped.

They threaten drastic sanctions

In fact, groups of fans had protested against the Australian soccer league and wanted to leave the game in the 20th minute. However, the situation escalated after the cameraman was hit by the firecracker and goalkeeper Glover picked up another and threw it back into the stands. “We’ll talk to him, but he’s a victim,” said Police Inspector Goddard. According to media reports, hosts Melbourne Victory are also threatened with a ban on spectators due to past incidents, possibly including for the remaining 18 matchdays of the season.

The Football Association of Australia has not commented on possible penalties, which could include a fine and points deduction. However, the association announced that it would be processed quickly. A few weeks after the surprise entry of the national team in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, eliminated 2-1 against Argentina, greatly dismayed by Saturday’s events in Australia. Several former international players such as former goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who also played for Germany, condemned the riots.

Host Melbourne Victory and his largest organized fan group have apologized. The supporters’ organization has warned that peaceful protests against the league’s plans to hold the men’s and women’s championship finals in Sydney for the next three years must remain.