Latest news with #Dunstan
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Police stand firm on show of force at soccer final
Police are making no apologies for a heavy handed approach around the A-League grand final, after one officer was hospitalised and flares were thrown at the crowd. Heavily armed officers, riot police and the mounted branch were part of a visible show of force from Victoria Police for the match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Police reported a generally positive atmosphere at the match with 11 evictions, four penalty notices and one arrest for an alleged assault on a security guard. Despite good behaviour inside AAMI Park, CBD Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said incidents before the match in nearby Swan Street involved supporters throwing flares at police, and into the crowd, as they marched to the venue. Over 20 flares were set off before the match, and six within AAMI Park. One police officer was taken to hospital after he was kicked by an unknown offender in Swan Street, requiring his jaw to be glued back together. That matter is still being investigated. Commander Dunstan said police efforts were bolstered ahead of the match because of past experience and other intelligence. "We were expecting concerning behaviours, and we were pleased to see that the vast majority of people were acting fantastically," the senior officer told reporters on Sunday. "Only a couple of months so we had an affray between these active supporter groups - that's concerning for us, and we have an obligation to respond." Victorian police minister Anthony Carbines said A-League Grand Finals sometimes had a history of being "troubled". "I make no apologies for having a very strong police presence," Mr Carbines said on Sunday. "Past behaviour is often an indicator of future behaviour, and while the main behaviour was good, there will always be incidents." Melbourne City beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 in a scrappy win in the first ever Melbourne derby grand final. The crowd of 29,902 was a sporting record crowd at the venue. The league and both clubs have been contacted for comment. Police are making no apologies for a heavy handed approach around the A-League grand final, after one officer was hospitalised and flares were thrown at the crowd. Heavily armed officers, riot police and the mounted branch were part of a visible show of force from Victoria Police for the match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Police reported a generally positive atmosphere at the match with 11 evictions, four penalty notices and one arrest for an alleged assault on a security guard. Despite good behaviour inside AAMI Park, CBD Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said incidents before the match in nearby Swan Street involved supporters throwing flares at police, and into the crowd, as they marched to the venue. Over 20 flares were set off before the match, and six within AAMI Park. One police officer was taken to hospital after he was kicked by an unknown offender in Swan Street, requiring his jaw to be glued back together. That matter is still being investigated. Commander Dunstan said police efforts were bolstered ahead of the match because of past experience and other intelligence. "We were expecting concerning behaviours, and we were pleased to see that the vast majority of people were acting fantastically," the senior officer told reporters on Sunday. "Only a couple of months so we had an affray between these active supporter groups - that's concerning for us, and we have an obligation to respond." Victorian police minister Anthony Carbines said A-League Grand Finals sometimes had a history of being "troubled". "I make no apologies for having a very strong police presence," Mr Carbines said on Sunday. "Past behaviour is often an indicator of future behaviour, and while the main behaviour was good, there will always be incidents." Melbourne City beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 in a scrappy win in the first ever Melbourne derby grand final. The crowd of 29,902 was a sporting record crowd at the venue. The league and both clubs have been contacted for comment. Police are making no apologies for a heavy handed approach around the A-League grand final, after one officer was hospitalised and flares were thrown at the crowd. Heavily armed officers, riot police and the mounted branch were part of a visible show of force from Victoria Police for the match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Police reported a generally positive atmosphere at the match with 11 evictions, four penalty notices and one arrest for an alleged assault on a security guard. Despite good behaviour inside AAMI Park, CBD Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said incidents before the match in nearby Swan Street involved supporters throwing flares at police, and into the crowd, as they marched to the venue. Over 20 flares were set off before the match, and six within AAMI Park. One police officer was taken to hospital after he was kicked by an unknown offender in Swan Street, requiring his jaw to be glued back together. That matter is still being investigated. Commander Dunstan said police efforts were bolstered ahead of the match because of past experience and other intelligence. "We were expecting concerning behaviours, and we were pleased to see that the vast majority of people were acting fantastically," the senior officer told reporters on Sunday. "Only a couple of months so we had an affray between these active supporter groups - that's concerning for us, and we have an obligation to respond." Victorian police minister Anthony Carbines said A-League Grand Finals sometimes had a history of being "troubled". "I make no apologies for having a very strong police presence," Mr Carbines said on Sunday. "Past behaviour is often an indicator of future behaviour, and while the main behaviour was good, there will always be incidents." Melbourne City beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 in a scrappy win in the first ever Melbourne derby grand final. The crowd of 29,902 was a sporting record crowd at the venue. The league and both clubs have been contacted for comment.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Police stand firm on show of force at soccer final
Police are making no apologies for a heavy handed approach around the A-League grand final, after one officer was hospitalised and flares were thrown at the crowd. Heavily armed officers, riot police and the mounted branch were part of a visible show of force from Victoria Police for the match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Police reported a generally positive atmosphere at the match with 11 evictions, four penalty notices and one arrest for an alleged assault on a security guard. Despite good behaviour inside AAMI Park, CBD Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said incidents before the match in nearby Swan Street involved supporters throwing flares at police, and into the crowd, as they marched to the venue. Over 20 flares were set off before the match, and six within AAMI Park. One police officer was taken to hospital after he was kicked by an unknown offender in Swan Street, requiring his jaw to be glued back together. That matter is still being investigated. Commander Dunstan said police efforts were bolstered ahead of the match because of past experience and other intelligence. "We were expecting concerning behaviours, and we were pleased to see that the vast majority of people were acting fantastically," the senior officer told reporters on Sunday. "Only a couple of months so we had an affray between these active supporter groups - that's concerning for us, and we have an obligation to respond." Victorian police minister Anthony Carbines said A-League Grand Finals sometimes had a history of being "troubled". "I make no apologies for having a very strong police presence," Mr Carbines said on Sunday. "Past behaviour is often an indicator of future behaviour, and while the main behaviour was good, there will always be incidents." Melbourne City beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 in a scrappy win in the first ever Melbourne derby grand final. The crowd of 29,902 was a sporting record crowd at the venue. The league and both clubs have been contacted for comment.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Police stand firm on show of force at soccer final
Police are making no apologies for a heavy handed approach around the A-League grand final, after one officer was hospitalised and flares were thrown at the crowd. Heavily armed officers, riot police and the mounted branch were part of a visible show of force from Victoria Police for the match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Police reported a generally positive atmosphere at the match with 11 evictions, four penalty notices and one arrest for an alleged assault on a security guard. Despite good behaviour inside AAMI Park, CBD Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said incidents before the match in nearby Swan Street involved supporters throwing flares at police, and into the crowd, as they marched to the venue. Over 20 flares were set off before the match, and six within AAMI Park. One police officer was taken to hospital after he was kicked by an unknown offender in Swan Street, requiring his jaw to be glued back together. That matter is still being investigated. Commander Dunstan said police efforts were bolstered ahead of the match because of past experience and other intelligence. "We were expecting concerning behaviours, and we were pleased to see that the vast majority of people were acting fantastically," the senior officer told reporters on Sunday. "Only a couple of months so we had an affray between these active supporter groups - that's concerning for us, and we have an obligation to respond." Victorian police minister Anthony Carbines said A-League Grand Finals sometimes had a history of being "troubled". "I make no apologies for having a very strong police presence," Mr Carbines said on Sunday. "Past behaviour is often an indicator of future behaviour, and while the main behaviour was good, there will always be incidents." Melbourne City beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 in a scrappy win in the first ever Melbourne derby grand final. The crowd of 29,902 was a sporting record crowd at the venue. The league and both clubs have been contacted for comment.
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Melbourne streets turned red as A-League's fans set flares, taunt police
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. The streets of Melbourne have been turned red and yellow, with rowdy soccer fans setting of flares to a strong police presence amid the A-League decider. Incredible photos have captured the chaotic scenes, with soccer fans descending on AAMI park to watch the showdown between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City FC. No one has been accused of any wrongdoing. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele Members of the Public Order Response Team with Victoria Police arrive outside a pub where hundreds of Melbourne Victory football fans gather ahead of the A-League final. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele Crowds of fans bundled up in soccer scarfs appeared to be taunting officers, who turned out in big numbers ahead of the match. Some shouted anti-police chants, The Herald Sun reported. Past matches between the two teams have erupted in chaos, including in 2022 where about 150 spectators stormed the field. Goalkeeper Tom Glover was allegedly struck in the head with a metal bucket during the incident. Some were handed down life bans following the match. No one has been accused of any wrongdoing. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele Police are out in force. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele Victoria Police CBD acting commander Zorka Dunstan said some fans barred from attending Saturday night's big game following 'reckless' behaviour earlier in the year. 'The majority of supporters do the right thing and create an incredible environment for everyone in attendance, including families,' Mr Dunstan said in a statement ahead of the match. 'However, at times this year we have seen a very small group of supporters engage in reckless and anti-social behaviour. Police are set to maintain a strong presence throughout Saturday night. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele 'Due to their actions, some of these people are barred from attending this Saturday's big game. 'We don't want this small group to tarnish the event for the rest of the soccer community.' He said those in Richmond — particularly on Swan St — could expect a 'strong and dedicated police presence throughout the entire night'. 'There will be an unbelievable atmosphere on Saturday night as two traditional Melbourne rivals meet in the Grand Final for the first time,' Mr Dunstan said. 'The bumper crowd can expect to see plenty of police on the way to the game and at the ground itself.' Soccer fans allegedly lit flares under a Swan St bridge on the way to a game just two weeks ago.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Melbourne streets turned red as A-League's fans set flares, taunt police
Flares have already been set off in Melbourne streets, with police out in force as the A-League's decider kicks off. Incredible photos have captured Melbourne streets turned red and yellow as flares were set off on Saturday evening, soccer fans descending on AAMI park to watch the showdown between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City FC. Crowds of fans bundled up in soccer scarfs appeared to be taunting officers, who turned out in big numbers ahead of the match. Some shouted anti-police chants, The Herald Sun reported. Previous matches between the two teams have erupted in chaos, including in 2022 where about 150 spectators stormed the field. Goalkeeper Tom Glover was allegedly struck in the head with a metal bucket during the incident, while life bans handed down. Victoria Police CBD acting commander Zorka Dunstan said some people were barred from attending Saturday night's big game, in a statement ahead of the match. 'The majority of supporters do the right thing and create an incredible environment for everyone in attendance, including families,' Mr Dunstan said. 'However, at times this year we have seen a very small group of supporters engage in reckless and anti-social behaviour. 'Due to their actions, some of these people are barred from attending this Saturday's big game. 'We don't want this small group to tarnish the event for the rest of the soccer community.' He said those in Richmond — particularly on Swan St — could expect a 'strong and dedicated police presence throughout the entire night'. 'There will be an unbelievable atmosphere on Saturday night as two traditional Melbourne rivals meet in the Grand Final for the first time,' Mr Dunstan said. 'The bumper crowd can expect to see plenty of police on the way to the game and at the ground itself.' Soccer fans lit flares under a Swan St bridge on the way to a game just two weeks ago. More to come …
