‘Our game is in tatters’: A-League pitch invasion leaves Australian football shell-shocked

The ugly scenes of fans rushing the pitch and assaulting players and match officials at Saturday night’s A-League Men Melbourne Derby have been described as one of the most damaging moments Australian football has seen.

Melbourne City provided an update on Sunday morning saying goalkeeper Tom Glover was left with a concussion and “severe lacerations” to his face after spectators stormed onto the field, broke down signage and attacked him with a projectile.

It came after fans complained about the decision to move the men’s and women’s A-League grand finals to Sydney for the next few years, rather than allowing the top-ranked side in the match to host it.

Fans at the Melbourne Derby were encouraged to stage a walkout in the 20th minute of the match, as Newcastle fans had done earlier in the round, but instead the game had to be abandoned after shocking violence erupted.

Coming on the back of the Socceroos’ admirable run to the last 16 at the World Cup in Qatar, the pitch invasion in Melbourne has brought people crashing back down to Earth.

The Professional Footballers’ Association said they were “appalling scenes” and Football Australia promised “strong sanctions will be handed down” after a full investigation.

But many feel like irreparable damage has already been done to a game that is constantly battling against a saturated football market in Australia.

Former Socceroos and current A-Leagues players are watching the game they helped build and nurture get torn down.

‘Exactly what football doesn’t need’

Former Socceroo and veteran football broadcaster Craig Foster said while these kinds of scenes were not unheard of around the world, Australian football was constantly trying to develop its own culture of responsible fandom.

“Absolutely appalled,” he told Channel Nine.

“What an incredible month it’s been for the game and this is exactly what football doesn’t need.

“These people have brought the whole game into disrepute.

“To see a player being assaulted and people bringing a game to a halt in this way is just disgusting.”

Foster stressed it was not difficult to display passion and pride while looking out for those around you and showing the players, staff and on-field officials respect.

“You saw during the World Cup the incredible passion and emotion of all the countries around the world — from Morocco to Japan to Korea — but what’s important is that it never spills over into this,” he told Nine.

“Being passionate and loving the game means respecting the game and upholding the rules around it, protecting your fellow spectators and of course your players and all the rest.

“This is exactly what we don’t want here. We saw hundreds of thousands of people come out and cheer for the Socceroos at the live sites and just have the most extraordinary month.

“I’ve seen Melbourne Victory, the PFA, other clubs, no doubt FA and everyone will be coming down in the hardest possible terms on these idiots.”

dan