A 23-year-old man has been charged after allegedly striking a goal umpire in the head with a bottle during St Kilda‘s clash with Carlton.
Police confirmed a Northcote man had been charged with recklessly cause injury, discharge a missile and unlawful assault.
He has been bailed and will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 1.
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The actions of the crowd member soured St Kilda’s win as goal umpire Steven Piperno was left bloodied by the flying bottle that hit in the back of his head.
Piperno was immediately replaced by emergency umpire Chelsea Roffey as he was attended to by medical staff.
Goal-line footage was replayed following the incident, leaving commentators stunned by the incident.
“That is just nothing short of disgraceful,” Brian Taylor said in commentary on Seven.
AFL umpire struck by bottle. Seven Network
“It must have had water in it too inflict any sort of cut.
“There is no room for that anywhere in any of our games regardless.
“He looks OK and he’s taken it in good spirit but there is quite a lot of blood being drawn out the back of his head there. Not something to make light of.”
Sydney Swans great Jude Bolton slammed the incident on X, writing: “Bloody awful seeing a bottle thrown at the goal umpire.”
“Unacceptable and disgusting behaviour.”
ABC reporter Lauren Bordin reported on X that the man had left the stadium before he could be thrown out by security.
Carlton coach Michael Voss expressed his disappointment following the game.
“That is not what it’s about,” he said.
“We spend a lot of time around trying to inspire and bring joy at our football club and we want to create that real safe environment and I reckon we do that really well and we will continue to reinforce that.
“When you hear instances like that, it’s something for the AFL to follow up pretty strongly and I know our club will.
“I have only heard about it but I am sure we will follow that up pretty strongly as we should be.”
The AFL has yet to comment on the incident.
The narrow 11.8 (74) – 11.10 (76) victory for St Kilda reduces Carlton’s finals chance, with the Blues fate placed in the hands of Freemantle.
The Dockers require Port Adelaide to beat Fremantle in the last game of the season, which would lock them into an elimination final against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
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