Diabolical scenes at Melbourne derby with unruly fan dragged out by police and drinks thrown at officers – as the two A-League sides clash for the first time since violent pitch invasion
- Shocking footage emerges from Melbourne derby
- Spectators threw drinks at police as man was ejected
- First time the two sides have met since pitch invasion
Disturbing footage has emerged of an unruly fan being dragged out of the stand during the Melbourne derby at AAMI Park, while spectators throw drinks at police officers.
In the first meeting of Melbourne City and Victory since December’s violent pitch invasion, the Victory claimed bragging rights with a thrilling 3-2 victory.
The crowd was mostly well behaved, however one shocking incident posted to social media after the match showed security staff and police removing a man from the ground.
In the video, security staff can be seen escorting a man down the aisle, as screaming fans instruct them to ‘let him go’.
As security staff hand the man over to police, the individual appears to push a police officer in the chest.
In the first meeting of Melbourne City and Victory since December’s violent pitch invasion, Victory claimed bragging rights with a thrilling 3-2 victory (Jordan Bos of Melbourne City and Jason Geria of the Victory compete for the ball)
The officer then drags the man to the ground while other officers are showered with drinks from angry fans above.
The man is then escorted away from the seating area by police and the officer who was pushed can be heard yelling in the man’s ear, ‘Don’t have a f***ing crack at me c**t!’
A fan be seen jumping from the stands toward the police officers and landing on his back, as the video clip ends.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police said that twelve fans were evicted during the match for ‘inappropriate or offensive behaviour’, while another was arrested for being intoxicated.
‘Victoria Police was generally pleased with crowd behaviour at the A-League derby match at AAMI Park on Saturday, 18 February,’ the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, on the the pitch Melbourne City’s keeper Tom Glover was targeted by Melbourne Victory fans after being at the centre of December’s violent pitch invasion.
Melbourne City’s keeper Tom Glover (pictured) was targeted by Melbourne Victory fans after being at the centre of December’s violent pitch invasion
There was an electric atmosphere inside AAMI Park, though no official crowd figure was posted because a stadium ‘system error’ meant fans’ tickets weren’t scanning on entry
A section of Victory fans were eager to show they hadn’t yet moved on, taunting Glover throughout Saturday night’s clash with songs referencing City’s custodian being ‘smashed by a bucket’.
‘He handled it perfectly,’ said City coach Rado Vidosic.
‘We didn’t talk about it (during the build-up). We knew that he’s a big boy, he can handle himself. I think he was excellent.’
City were caught out by a set piece, a fast break and a deflection in their surprise defeat, with Glover not at fault for any of Victory’s goals.
There was an electric atmosphere inside AAMI Park, though no official crowd figure was posted because a stadium ‘system error’ meant fans’ tickets weren’t scanning on entry.
Despite the derby defeat, City remain well clear on top of the table ahead of a home clash with Sydney FC on Saturday
Vidosic praised the ‘brilliant’ supporters on Saturday night.
‘We need every game to be like this,’ Vidosic said.
‘We need more people to come and support, especially us, we are playing some really good football (this season).
‘We are scoring freely, we’re controlling the game, we’re creating chances, so we would love to have more supporters come and enjoy our play.’
Despite the derby defeat, City remain well clear on top of the table ahead of a home clash with Sydney FC on Saturday.
‘There’s no need to panic,’ Vidosic said.