Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer has led a wave of prominent football figures and politicians condemning the actions of pitch invaders at the A-League Men Melbourne derby.
Many called for life bans to be slapped on fans from Melbourne Victory’s active area who stormed the AAMI Park pitch on Saturday night, injuring Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover and referee Alex King with a metal bucket.
The violence led to the match being abandoned in one of Australian football’s darkest episodes.
Victoria Police and Football Australia investigations have been launched, with the game’s governing body promising to hand out “the strongest sanctions that are available”.
“What is wrong with people? It happens time & time again,” goalkeeping great Schwarzer posted on Twitter.
“We take a step forward & then 10 steps backwards, in this case 100 backwards …. minority of idiots cause untold damage to our sport far to often … name, shame, prosecute and ban for life those involved.
“Get these IDIOTS out of our game, they are not fans and they should never be allowed back ever again!”
Matildas captain and Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr wrote it was a “very sad day for football in Aus”, while Socceroos and Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic wrote “our game is in tatters”.
“An absolute disgrace what happened tonight,” Vukovic posted on Twitter.
“Irreparable damage done. Darkest day for football in Australia.”
Former Adelaide United striker and current Network 10 pundit Bruce Djite told AAP it was hard to see how Australian football could recover and said FA needed to “throw the library at Melbourne Victory.”
FA will issue Victory with a show cause notice as part of its investigation into the matter.
The club, which has been at the centre of crowd trouble in the past, faces the possibility of a financial penalty, points deduction or being forced to play matches behind closed doors.
Victory managing director Caroline Carnegie said it would be financially “devastating” if crowds were locked out but believes the club will overcome the latest setback.
“Victory is bigger than a group of fans that did the wrong thing,” Carnegie told reporters on Sunday.
Carnegie also said the “heartbroken” club was “appalled” by the actions of a section of the crowd.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews and federal Sports Minister Anika Wells also condemned the violence.
“Victorians are well known for our love of sport – and for enjoying it safely and respectfully,” Mr Andrews posted on Twitter.
“The disgraceful actions by some at last night’s A-League game have no place in our sporting community – and no place in our state.”
Ms Wells has been in contact with Football Australia chief executive James Johnson and welcomed the governing body’s investigation into the matter.
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