Football Australia has today issued a further seven bans to spectators as part of the organisation’s ongoing investigation into the unacceptable events that unfolded during the A-League Men’s match between Melbourne City FC and Melbourne Victory FC at AAMI Park on Saturday, 17 December.
Today’s announcement brings the number of bans issued by Football Australia following the Melbourne Derby to 17, with Football Australia continuing to work with Victoria Police on other persons of interest.
This latest round of bans involves people ranging from 19 to 28 years of age, with one life ban and the remaining sanctions spanning 10 to 20 years.
These bans are effective immediately and will exclude these individuals from all football activity including both registering as a football participant and attending Football Australia-sanctioned matches and events encompassing all A-Leagues, Australia Cup, National Premier League, and National Team matches.
The seven people have been sanctioned by Football Australia on a variety of violations – where each case differs – including entering the field of play without authorisation; engaging in conduct that did or was likely to cause harm or endanger others; engaging in conduct that did or was likely to cause unlawful damage to the venue or the various forms of infrastructure within the venue; and throwing a projectile and/or missile in a dangerous manner.
Victoria Police confirmed that these seven people are also subject to a range of criminal charges.
28-year-old Albert Park man charged with riotous behaviour, public nuisance, entering sporting competition space (disrupt match, game, sport, or event), entering sporting competition space, commit indictable offence whilst on bail.
Football Australia sanction: Life Ban
19-year-old Preston man charged with violent disorder, unlawful assault, riotous behaviour, discharge a missile to cause injure/danger, public nuisance, entering sporting competition space (disrupt match, game, sport, or event), entering sporting competition space.
Football Australia sanction: 20 years
25-year-old Reservoir man charged with violent disorder, riotous behaviour, public nuisance, enter sporting competition space (disrupt match, game, sport, or event), entering sporting competition space, unlawful assault x 2.
Football Australia sanction: 15 years
21-year-old Sunbury man charged with violent disorder, riotous behaviour, public nuisance, entering sporting competition space (disrupt Match, entering sporting competition space, possess lit distress signal, and throw lit distress signal.
Football Australia sanction: 10 years
19-year-old Coburg man charged with violent disorder, criminal damage, riotous behaviour, public nuisance, entering sporting competition space (disrupt match, game, sport, or event), entering sporting competition space.
Football Australia sanction: 10 years
22-year-old Croydon man charged with violent disorder, criminal damage, riotous behaviour, public nuisance, entering sporting competition space x 2.
Football Australia sanction: 10 years
22-year-old Carrum Downs man charged with violent disorder, public nuisance, unlawful assault, entering sporting arena x 2 and riotous behaviour.
Football Australia sanction: 10 years
None of these seven individuals have current Football Australia bans in place.
Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson said Football Australia will continue its ongoing investigation for as long as necessary and will issue further bans.
“Football Australia has now issued 17 bans against individuals and preliminary sanctions against Melbourne Victory as an initial package of measures in response to the shocking incidents witnessed at the Melbourne Derby,” said Johnson.
“Football Australia’s response to the incident and the significant bans we have issued to date sends a clear message that these people are not welcome in our game and the Australian football community will never tolerate such behaviour in our game.
“We would like to thank the Victorian Police for its ongoing collaboration through the process. We share a mutual commitment to creating safe spaces for our communities and will continue to work together to issue further bans.
“Football Australia also continues its assessment of Melbourne Victory’s response to our show cause notice with final sanctions against the club to follow soon,” concluded Johnson.
Victoria Police are continuing to appeal for public assistance in relation to criminal damage and release of flares and missiles including chairs, buckets, and bottles during the pitch invasion. Police have released further images of people who may be able to assist with their enquiries into these matters.
Football Australia would encourage our football community and the wider public to provide any further information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Football Australia will also finalise and announce the determination of Melbourne Victory FC’s show cause process next week.
Melbourne Victory FC is scheduled to play a double header today, Friday 6 January at AAMI Park with their A-League Women’s team playing Perth Glory FC and their A-League Men’s team playing Brisbane Roar FC. No tickets can be sold to the general public and only valid Melbourne Victory FC Members will be able to attend these matches as part of the preliminary sanctions issued on 23 December 2022.
