Latest news with #pitchinvasion
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Why police will be out in force at A-League Grand Final in Melbourne - as 30,000 fans head to AAMI Park for historic derby
Football fans will be closely monitored by police at Saturday's A-League Grand Final in Melbourne, as the code desperately looks to avoid a repeat of the shocking scenes from an infamous derby in 2022 that saw a pitch invasion and 29 arrests. Victoria Police have been pulled from multiple areas - and a number of stations will temporarily close - as resources are diverted to AAMI Park in the CBD to ensure rival supporters are on their best behaviour. It follows one of Australian soccer's darkest episodes, where approximately 150 Victory supporters stormed the pitch, unleashing 80 flares or fireworks and forcing the abandonment of the Melbourne derby in December of 2022. Then Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover left the field bleeding from a head wound and referee Alex King, two security guards and a camera operator were injured following the mayhem. At the time, a portion of disgruntled Victory fans announced plans pre-game via an Instagram page titled Original Style Melbourne (OSM) to storm the pitch after 20 minutes in protest of the controversial decision to hand Sydney grand final hosting rights until 2025. 'We demand answers from Melbourne Victory,' the lengthy social media post began following the announcement from former Australian Professional Leagues (APL) boss Danny Townsend a deal worth a least $10million had been struck with Destination NSW. 'The fanbase has spoken. You must back your most loyal. There is no other option. 'Without us there is no club. 'Silence will be considered collusion and won't be forgotten. 'You are either with us, or against us.' Fast forward to Saturday night's Grand Final and it is widely hoped history will not repeat itself. Thankfully, both sets of supporters on social media platforms appear to focused on the football, not engaging in anti-social behaviour. Victoria Police have confirmed they will have a visible presence at AAMI Park, ensuring both sets of fans enjoy the game and get home safely. 'There will be an unbelievable atmosphere on Saturday night,' CBD Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said in a statement. 'The bumper crowd can expect to see plenty of police on the way to the game and at the ground itself.' A spokesman for AAMI Park also said there would be 'increased numbers of venue security, patron services and supervisor staff, as well as greater numbers of MSS Security and Victoria Police personnel.' Meanwhile, an A-League spokesperson confirmed the Grand Final is a sell-out. Two Melbourne teams chasing bragging rights and silverware in a decider is also an A-League first, dating back to 2005. 'We are the only sport in town,' the A-League spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'No AFL, NRL or even netball is being played (in Melbourne), so we are excited (to be in the spotlight). 'The capacity at AAMI Park is just over 30,000, and we have sold all tickets. 'Fans can enjoy the spectacle, and also see Socceroos such as Marco Tilio, Mat Leckie, Aziz Behich and Daniel Arzani in the flesh.' Melbourne City are unbeaten in their last eight games - but have not beaten arch-rivals Melbourne Victory since April of 2023.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Saints to bill Dundee for damage after pitch invasion'
St Johnstone are set to hit Dundee with a £10,000 bill for damage caused to McDiarmid Park during Sunday's pitch invasion, the Perth club having found broken seats, graffiti and damage to the toilets in the areas housing the 3,000 visiting fans. (Scottish Sun), externalRead Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footballer left bloodied and needing stitches after being hit by an object thrown by his OWN fans during pitch invasion
Aberdeen star Jack MacKenzie was left bloodied after a nasty incident involving his own fans on Saturday. MacKenzie, 24, had been an unused substitute during Aberdeen's 2-1 defeat by Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership. The result saw United pip Aberdeen to fourth place in the table, and after full time, there was a pitch invasion by their fans. MacKenzie was on the pitch at Tannadice as the pitch invasion unfolded when he was hit by an object thrown by an Aberdeen supporter. The object, believed to be part of a seat that had been torn out, was hurled from the upper tier of one stand in the stadium. The 24-year-old was knocked to the ground after being hit and left bloodied, before he later required stitches in what was an extremely unsavoury incident. There was already a limited number of travelling fans in attendance after trouble at the last meeting between the sides at Tannadice when objects were thrown at United manager Jim Goodwin. In the aftermath, Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin provided an update on MacKenzie. '(He is) OK but it's quite a bad injury,' Thelin said. 'This is unacceptable and can't happen. 'We have to get all the facts of what actually happened. All we know is Jack got a really bad injury as a player doing his job. This cannot happen in this way.' Aberdeen subsequently released a statement expressing their disgust at what had gone on. 'The club is dismayed and outraged at the scenes that unfolded following this afternoon's Premiership tie with Dundee United at Tannadice Park,' it read. 'Our player, Jack MacKenzie, has sustained a serious facial injury after being struck by a part of a chair that was thrown towards the pitch. We await further information, but what we know for sure, the chair was thrown from the stand in which the Aberdeen supporters were being housed. 'As such, we are calling on all fans who may have witnessed this event to contact the Club to provide any information that may assist us in our investigations and wider discussions with the relevant authorities. 'When the perpetrator is identified, we will take the strongest possible action available to us.' Police Scotland later confirmed MacKenzie was set for further medical assessment having been treated on the scene - and they appealed for information from witnesses. Match Commander, Superintendent Ray Birnie, added: 'This was a mindless act which has seriously injured the player, resulting in him needing medical treatment. 'This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and I'd appeal to all fans to help us trace the person responsible. 'If you were in the Fair Play Stand and witnessed what happened, please do the right thing and come forward. I'd also urge anyone who has mobile phone footage to review it and bring anything of importance to our attention.' Meanwhile, Goodwin, who spent just under a year in charge of Aberdeen between 2022 and 2023, condemned the incident, labelling it an 'absolute disgrace' 'I deliberately took myself off the pitch as quickly as I could because we've had previous with the Aberdeen supporters,' he said. 'I'm really disappointed to hear young Jack has been hit by an object thrown by his own supporters. He's inside having stitches now, it's an absolute disgrace. 'It's probably taken something as serious as this to happen for the authorities to finally step in and do something about it to identify these idiots who let down a really good club.' Elsewhere, the SPFL similarly slammed the behaviour of those responsible. 'It's enormously disappointing and frustrating that one of the most exciting games in the season has been marred by such moronic behaviour,' a statement read.
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Aberdeen player suffers head injury from chair seat thrown by fans
Jack MacKenzie, the Aberdeen defender, suffered a head injury when he was struck by a chair seat thrown during a pitch invasion. MacKenzie, who was an unused substitute during his team's Scottish Premier League defeat at Dundee United, was on the pitch when home fans rushed on after their side denied Aberdeen fourth place. It appears that the object that hit MacKenzie was thrown from an area that housed his own fans. Jimmy Thelin, the Aberdeen manager, said that MacKenzie is 'ok but it's quite a bad injury'. 'This is unacceptable and can't happen,' Thelin added. 'We have to get all the facts of what actually happened. All we know is Jack got a really bad injury as a player doing his job. This cannot happen in this way.' Jim Goodwin, the Dundee United manager, also condemned the incident. 'I deliberately took myself off the pitch as quickly as I could because we've had previous with the Aberdeen supporters,' Goodwin said. 'I'm really disappointed to hear young Jack has been hit by an object thrown by his own supporters. He's inside having stitches now, it's an absolute disgrace. 'It's probably taken something as serious as this to happen for the authorities to finally step in and do something about it to identify these idiots who let down a really good club.' Dundee move into contention for Europe Dundee United's 2-1 comeback win clinched fourth place and a European spot. Aberdeen's Danish attacker Jeppe Okkels scored after 15 minutes. United levelled after 56 minutes through defender Declan Gallagher before loan striker Sam Dalby's penalty in the 62nd minute secured United fourth, which brings a potential Europa League qualifying place, although Aberdeen are able to swipe it back if they win the Scottish Cup against Celtic next week. Goodwin added: 'Today's performance just pretty much summed up what this group have been all about all season. 'Numerous times throughout the campaign we've come from behind to win games and draw games. We've scored late winners throughout the course of the season. 'Today, the character was called into question again. At half-time, we were trailing and I thought the players were outstanding. They never stopped believing.'
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
MacKenzie left bloodied by object thrown by own fans
Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie was left bloodied after being struck by an object thrown by one of his own fans amid a pitch invasion following his side's Scottish Premiership defeat at Dundee subtitute MacKenzie was on the pitch while the United fans invaded the playing surface after their side denied Aberdeen fourth he was felled by a projectile hurled from the area of the ground that housed a travelling support restricted in number after objects were aimed at United manager Jim Goodwin in the last meeting at Tannadice. Speaking to BBC Scotland after his side sealed a European place on Saturday, Goodwin labelled the incident "a disgrace"."I deliberately took myself off the pitch as quickly as I could because we've had previous with the Aberdeen supporters in the past," the former Pittodrie boss said."I'm really disappointed to hear young Jack has been hit by an object thrown by his own supporters. He's inside having stitches now, it's an absolute disgrace."It's probably taken something as serious as this to happen for the authorities to finally step in and do something about it to identify these idiots who let down a really good club."
