A police officer has been assaulted during wild scenes ahead of Saturday night’s A-League grand final clash between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.
Thousands of soccer fans converged on Swan Street in Richmond during pre-game celebrations, during which about 20 flares were lit among the crowd.
Police said some of those flares were thrown at officers.
Large crowds gathered in Swan St before the grand final. (ABC News)
An officer was also assaulted and taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said the male officer had sustained a cut to the chin.
“It was completely unprovoked,” Commander Dunstan said.
“We’re there to try and maintain public order, and community safety as well, so it’s extremely disappointing.
“Regardless of whether it’s a minor injury or not, it’s just unacceptable.“
Commander Dunstan said investigators had identified a number of suspects, but were still trying to narrow down who the offender was.
Flares were lit among the crowd during the grand final. (AAP: Con Chronis)
A security guard was also assaulted during the game.
One man was arrested, interviewed and released.
He will be charged on summons.
Commander Zorka said another six flares were thrown during the game, which she said was disturbing.
“We’ve got young kids and families in that crowd. There’s such a risk of potential harm,” she said.
Police say they were disappointed with the behaviour of some fans before and during the game. (ABC News)
She said there were 11 evictions from the stadium, four penalty notices for possessing a lit firework and one for riotous behaviour.
Two people were cautioned for trespass, including one man who had been banned from A-League matches due to previous behaviour.
Commander Zorka said he was identified through facial recognition technology and removed from the stadium before the grand final started.
Small group of offenders tarnished the game, police say
The grand final saw a record attendance at AAMI Park of nearly 30,000 people.
Melbourne City beat its fierce cross-town rivals Victory 1-0 to claim its second championship.
Commander Zorka said intelligence had suggested a large police presence, including specialist units, would be needed.
“Only a couple of months ago, in February, we had an affray between these active supporter groups so that’s quite concerning for us,” she said.
“We have an obligation to respond.”
There was a huge police presence as crowds moved from Swan Street in Richmond to nearby AAMI Park. (ABC News)
She said the vast majority of the crowd was well-behaved, with only a small group responsible for the offences.
“[It was] just disappointing that we had this small group tarnish the image of this particular sporting code, which is disappointing for the league, I know, and it’s disappointing to us too,” she said.
She said police would continue to work with the A-League, both clubs, stadium management and security providers following the grand final to review the incidents.
dan