Politicians, players of different codes and journalists condemned the embarrassing scenes that marred the Melbourne Derby on Saturday as “disgraceful”.
The A-League clash between Victory and City at AAMI Park was called off just 20 minutes after Victory fans invaded the pitch and City goalkeeper Thomas Glover was attacked, with a litter bin smashed to his face.
The 24-year-old was left bloodied and City confirmed that he had likely sustained a concussion and was receiving treatment in the dressing room. The game was immediately suspended and canceled shortly thereafter.
Fans stormed the pitch in the 21st minute of the Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory match
A planned protest against the A-League’s plans to move the Grand Final to Sydney turned violent
Since then, images have surfaced that appear to show Glover threw a flare into the stands as the fans planned to stage a mass walkout in the 20th minute to express their discontent with the A-League’s decision to move the Grand Final to Sydney.
“What a dark time this is for the game in Australia,” former SBS commentator Lucy Zelic tweeted.
“Everything that happened tonight has typified where we are as a game: lost, disillusioned, fractured and hopeless. To shame.’
Former SBS commentator Lucy Zelic said the incidents in Melbourne were a “dark day” for Australian rules football after a brilliant World Cup.
Simon Hill was equally scathing about the incidents that unfolded at AAMI Park
Paramount football commentator Simon Hill was equally scathing about the incidents that unfolded at AAMI Park.
“And our fall from grace is complete,” he tweeted.
‘As if the World Cup never happened. Very sad and angry.’
Thomas Glover was left bloody and the game at AAMI Park was quickly abandoned
The game was suspended after Victory fans stormed the pitch and forced the players and match officials to quickly retreat to the locker room.
ABC football journalist Evan Morgan Grahame added: “As if football in Australia can’t get any worse at the moment”, before describing the scenes unfolding in Melbourne as the ‘nadir’ of the sport in Australia.
He wasn’t the only one to broach the subject, as the feel-good factor generated by the Socceroos’ performances in Qatar is a distant memory just two weeks after Australia lost to Argentina in the round of 16.
“Soccer in Australia is self-destructing on national television,” said former ABC broadcaster Francis Leach.
It’s beyond infuriating. Just disgusting and inexcusable. We don’t deserve the game we love if we are as disrespectful and despicable as fans.”
Former ABC broadcaster Francis Leach warned on television that football in Australia was self-destructing
Sydney Morning Herald journalist Vince Rugari noted that the incidents at AAMI Park risked setting Australian rules rules rules back several years.
Code Sport cricket writer Daniel Cherny reflected on the dramatic change dynamic Australian rules football has undergone in just two weeks.
Code Sport cricket journalist Daniel Cherny sang of the same score: “Australia knocked out in the round of 16 and the sport soars before the final.”
Sydney Morning Herald football journalist Vince Rugari noted that the incidents at AAMI Park risked setting Australian rules football back by several years: “Everything we worked for, it was ruined.” Well done’
Socceroos star Craig Goodwin, who has spoken out against the A-League’s plans to move the Grand Final to Sydney this week, and Danny Vukovic condemned the incidents.
‘Extremely disappointing. Regardless of what happened, this is not the way to respond and just makes the game look bad,” the first tweeted.
Socceroos star Craig Goodwin condemned the incident that unfolded in Melbourne
While his Australia teammate Danny Vukovic noted that the incidents spoke volumes for the current state of Australian rules football.
Vukovic added: Our game is in tatters. Absolute shame what happened tonight. I can’t believe we’re here after such an amazing WC and with so much potential to see our game grow. Irreparable damage done. The darkest day for football in Australia.
The harrowing scenes also drew a scathing response from some of Australia’s biggest sports stars.
“Disgraceful absolute bullshit act,” Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen tweeted, while Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield described the incidents as “disgusting behaviour”.
Labor Party Senator Nita Green said something similar, calling the scenes “an absolute disgrace.”
Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuizen called the field invaders ‘s**m’
Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield called the incidents “disgusting behaviour”.
In a follow-up tweet, he added: “Heartbroken for all those kids who came to see their heroes play today.” If you really love the game, you wouldn’t treat it this way.’
Meanwhile, Football Australia has launched an investigation into the incidents.
“Such behavior has no place in Australian rules football, with a full Football Australia investigation due to begin immediately, where heavy sanctions will be imposed,” it said in a statement.
It’s been less than two weeks since the Socceroos received a triumphant home welcome after the greatest World Cup in Australia’s history.
Labor Party Senator Nita Green did something similar, calling the scenes “an absolute disgrace.”
The Socceroos won two games in the tournament for the first time in their history and reached the knockout stages for the first time since 2006, with large crowds gathering in cities across Australia to watch the games.
But hopes that the tournament could provide a sliding-door moment for Australian rules football seem to have been quickly dissipated amid all the all-too-familiar self-inflicted wounds.
Poor attendances at A-League games last week were a prelude to things to come, before the league’s controversial decision to send the next three major finals to Sydney sparked the fury of fans across the country. .
Since the A-League began in 2005, clubs have needed to earn the right to host the grand final based on their performance in the final series. NSW’s decision goes against A-League tradition.
This week, groups of supporters across the country criticized the deal, worth $10 million, and announced their intention to voice their opposition by leaving games at the 20-minute mark.
On Friday night, Newcastle Jets fans left in droves during their team’s 1-0 loss to the Brisbane Roar, carrying a banner reading: “Fans > $$.”
The main body, the Professional Leagues of Australia, has doubled down on the decision despite a huge backlash from fans and soccer stars that led APL director Anthony Di Pietro to resign.