Convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika is not permitted to enter the MCG, with plans in place to ban him from the venue for life.
Benbrika walked free from prison this week after his lawyers successfully argued the notorious extremist should be released from a continuing detention order that had kept him inside Barwon Prison since 2020 after he finished serving a 15-year sentence for terror offences.
Abdul Nacer Benbrika.
Melbourne Cricket Club chief Stuart Fox said Benbrika, who is subject to an extended supervision order (ESO), confirmed there were moves to issue him with a lifetime ban from entering the stadium.
“There is, and he won’t be permitted in the stadium,” Fox said.
“We’ve got a process internally. We take security so seriously here. We’ve got a really important security overlay and anyone that would pose a threat or a risk to the MCG won’t be welcome or allowed in, simple as that.”
Fox said the MCC was working with authorities to ensure Benbrika would be recognised should he attempt to enter the venue but did not specify what procedures were in place.
“If we feel like there’s a threat and we’ve got a patron that has a bad history, we can stop them coming in. So there’s a whole lot of mechanisms,” Fox said.
“I don’t want to give you all of our security detail. But it’s important that we keep everyone safe and it’s a high priority for us.”
It has been reported Benbrika was linked to a plot to blow up the MCG on the 2005 grand final day but the evidence, provided by witness Izzydeen Atik, was rejected by the Supreme Court in 2009, and Atik was found to be a “liar, a cheat and a fraudster of significant accomplishment”.
More to come.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
