Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City’s Australian A-League soccer match had to be postponed on Saturday due to fans rushing the field in protest with the video of Tom Glover video
Fans of Melbourne Victory spoiled the derby game.
Melbourne Victory’s fans ruined the local match by faking an incident that descended into violence, and they later made an official apology. The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) administrators’ decision to sell Sydney the hosting rights for the division’s men’s and women’s grand finals for the following three years has angered fans. As a response, in the 20th minute of the game, they executed a united walkout and fired flares as they did so. A fan was seen punching a cameraperson.
Tom Glover Left Bloodied After Victory Fans Attack Him During Derby vs Melbourne, Video Goes Viral
Within the first 20 minutes of the game, flares had already been lit, and City fans had thrown projectiles onto the field as Aiden O’Neill celebrated the game’s first (and lone) goal in the 11th minute.
Incredible scenes as Melbourne Victory fans storm the pitch at the City – Victory Derby after city keeper throws a flare at the crowd. Never seen anything like this in Australian football before… pic.twitter.com/IROUvlINcN
— Tom Canetti (@tomcanetti) December 17, 2022
The goalie and the referee left bleeding.
When City goalkeeper Tom Glover made an attempt to deflect a projectile that had landed close to him in minute 20, things significantly worsened. When the goalie fired a flare back into the Victory supporters, a large number of them rushed the field in a commotion.
Glover had to be helped off the field by his teammates after being struck in the face with a metal bucket full of sand. Blood was pouring out of the side of his head. The aforementioned bucket also cut the head of referee Alex King. After a protracted delay, the game was called off, marking the first time an A-League game has been postponed due to such conditions.
❌ Increíbles imágenes que llegan desde Australia
😳 Invasión de campo que obligó a detener el derbi entre el Melbourne City FC y Melbourne Victorypic.twitter.com/PX4eTP9Ubh
— Sportyou (@SportYou) December 17, 2022
Official statement from the club
Victory afterwards released a statement in which they expressed their devastation at their fans’ behaviour. The club issued a formal apology to Tom Glover, the match official, Alex King, the camera operator, all players, officials, and anybody else who saw the despicable behaviour, according to the statement.
No arrests have been made yet.
The goalie and referee did sustain injuries, according to the local police, who also noted that between 15,000 and 20,000 Victory supporters rushed the field. They also said the cameraman was hurt after being struck by a flare. Although no one had been arrested, the law enforcement agency stated that they were still looking into the situation.
The player’s union Professional Footballers Australia said in a statement that Melbourne Victory supporters should be punished with the toughest possible sanctions for storming the field and assaulting a player, a referee, and a member of the matchday broadcast crew.
However, everyone must recognise the bravery of the players, club staff, and referees who helped one another in situations that no one should ever have to face. Glover needed sutures and is thought to have a concussion, whereas King was said to be more scared than harmed.