Melbourne Victory have been spared an immediate points deduction but will spend the rest of this season – and the next three – with a heavy penalty hanging over their heads as Football Australia handed down its final punishment for last month’s violent pitch invasion.
The Victory were found to have brought the game into disrepute, Football Australia announced on Tuesday, through the actions of their fans who ran onto the field during December 17’s derby against Melbourne City at AAMI Park, which chief executive James Johnson said were the worst scenes witnessed in the A-Leagues era.
The club has been hit with a bill for $550,000, which includes $450,000 in fines and damages and a further $100,000 in lost revenue, while they will be subject to a 10-point deduction which will be triggered for each instance of “serious supporter misconduct” from now until the end of the 2025-26 men’s season.
It means any significant incident of fan unrest could destroy the Victory’s on-field hopes for the foreseeable future.
Access to seating behind the goals at the northern end of AAMI Park will be blocked for the rest of this season and the finals series, while Victory fans will not be given allocated seating at away matches during that time.
Surprisingly, Football Australia has ordered the match itself – which was abandoned when a fan threw a metal bucket of sand at Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover’s head, concussing him – to be replayed in April, from the 22-minute mark with City’s 1-0 lead intact.
Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover was left bleeding and concussed after fans stormed the pitch on December 17.Credit:Getty
Football Australia, which has already issued 17 individual stadium bans to people who entered the field of play, also said it would establish and manage a taskforce, together with experts from Victorian and NSW police forces, to curb the use of flares at matches and review the management of active supporters.
“The field of play is sacred and the safety of our players and match officials is paramount,” Johnson said.
“Those individuals that illegally entered the field of play, caused damage, and verbally and physically assaulted players and officials, crossed the line.
“We have worked closely with Victoria Police to identify these individuals and will continue to do so to ensure those that display anti-social and criminal behaviour at football events are not involved in our game in any way.
“I can sympathise with the vast majority of fans and the broader football community who were sickened and hurt by the actions of those individuals.
“The sanctions imposed on Melbourne Victory are a necessary step to ensure we create an environment where we place football first, and our community can enjoy matches.”
MORE TO COME
