Photos from the A-League’s “darkest day” have captured a link between alleged pitch invaders and a shamed supporters gang.
Photos released by police of the alleged pitch invaders they wish to speak to include some men wearing clothing with marked links to active Melbourne Victory extremist groups previously shut down.
According to The Herald Sun, sections of the pitch invasion mob can now be revealed as members of hard-line supporter groups that have terrorised the league for more than 10 years.
Three men who allegedly took part in the mass pitch invasion have been charged over the incident after handing themselves into police.
The scenes of a frenzied mob of more than 150 people invading the playing field and injuring Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover and referee Alex King shocked Australia during the Melbourne Derby on Saturday night at AAMI Park.
The incident occurred just days after the Australian Professional Leagues — which took control of Australia’s national competitions from Football Australia two years ago — announced its decision to stage the A-League Grand Final in Sydney for the next three years. The decision caused outrage across the country.
Among the spectators to have invaded the ground, spectators were seen showing off items of clothing with signage that has links with older Melbourne Victory ultra supporter groups.
The report identifies members from active hooligan groups Horda, M3 and Nomadi.
The Daily Mail also reports other spectators involved in the pitch invasion wore T-shirts bearing the name Original Style Melbourne (OSM) — a radical supporter collective made up of several groups of extreme fans.
Horda has previously professed in social media groups to being part of the original Northern Terrace Collective (NTC), an alliance of active supporter groups known for sitting in the Northern Terrace section of Marvel Stadium. The NTC was eventually broken down after an on-again-off-again battle with Melbourne Victory where the football club ultimately moved to make it impossible for the group to assemble in large numbers at games.
The club also outlawed any banners that showed support for the Horda organisation.
Members of the new radical supporter groups have now made a habit of sitting directly behind the Melbourne Victory’s active supporter group that sits behind the goals at the northern end of the stadium.
The Herald Sun reports some of the pitch invaders had previously been banned by the league.
Despite public messages encouraging fans to stage a protest at the game, the OSM followed the shameful event by admitting it failed to stop the pitch invasion from happening.
“Our protest yesterday was intended to unite all fans,” it wrote on Facebook.
“A vital element of the campaign against the APL decision, was that the walkout and protest remained peaceful, so as not to take away and distract from our argument.
“OSM leadership fully understand the genuine sadness, anger and frustration at what happened last night. The events which transpired, although uncontrollable, happened under our watch, and we take full responsibility for that.”
Police are continuing to investigate the incident having launched Operation Astute.
A 23-year-old has been charged in relation to Glover being hit in the head with a bucket full of sand.
The Craigieburn man has been charged with violent disorder, discharge missile, intent to cause injury, recklessly cause injury, unlawful assault, entry to sporting competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.
A 19-year-old Meadow Heights man was charged with a separate alleged assault on Mr Glover as well as an alleged assault on a security guard.
He has been charged with violent disorder, discharge missile, three counts of unlawful assault, entry to competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance, riotous behaviour, discharge and possess flare.
He has been charged with violent disorder, criminal damage, unlawful assault, entry to competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.
The three men handed themselves in to various police stations today and have received bail to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court in February.
Police have also revealed the alleged details of what occurred in the stadium during the pitch invasion.
Around 50 flares were lit in the stands, with at least three thrown onto the field, police say.
Two security guards were also injured and approximately $120,000 worth of damage was allegedly caused to the venue.
Officers from the Public Order Response Team allegedly had bottles thrown at them when responding to the incident.
Police have released images of men they wish to speak to, with a spokesman saying they may be able to assist with investigations.
“What we saw last night from those who chose to invade the pitch was shocking, disgraceful and lacked total respect for the game of football,” Acting Superintendent Jason Goddard said on Sunday.
Superintendent Goddard was scathing in his assessment of the “disgusting” behaviour.
He warned police had a number of active and ongoing inquiries to make after seeing vision of the incidents and the men allegedly involved.
“Detectives from our Northwest Metro Regional Crime Squad are working hard and I have no doubt we’ll be knocking on a few doors soon,” he said.
“I’m a lover of the game and I actually feel sad about what I saw play out on the pitch last night.”
Police and thousands of supporters have condemned the behaviour on what has been called footballs ‘night of shame’.
The match was abandoned as the fans took to the field in a bid to “protect the integrity of the match”, Football Australia said.
In a statement, they said such behaviour has “no place” in Australian football.
They promised “strong sanctions” against those alleged to have been involved.
