Victory supporters group won’t dispand despite record penalties from Melbourne derby in December
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The radical group of Melbourne Victory supporters, who previously apologized for their role in the violent A-League pitch invasion in December, have now announced their refusal to disband.
original style melbourne [OSM] is a group of fans formed after North Terrace broke up in 2016, with several fans storming the field during the Melbourne derby displaying their jerseys.
OSM has previously issued two public apologies, including a statement saying: “We strongly condemn the actions of a minority of fans active in yesterday’s derby.”
‘our protest [against the sale of the A-League grand final] I intended to unite all the fans.’
Now, the group has issued a new statement saying it will not disband as a result of the pitch invasion.
It comes despite the A-League club being hit with a record $550,000 fine recently following the violent pitch invasion during last month’s Melbourne derby at AAMI Park, which was called off due to security concerns.
“OSM will not be disbanded,” read a Facebook post on Friday.
‘Our group was formed independently and only we control our future.
‘The current support restrictions are nothing the terrace hasn’t dealt with and overcome before.
“As long as fans are able to enter the stadium, we will be there and our voice will be heard.
Melbourne Victory ‘fans’ invade the pitch during the A-League derby on December 17 at AAMI Park
Melbourne City’s Tom Glover was assaulted by a ‘fan’ after Victory supporters stormed the pitch
‘To our fans and friends, we thank you for your loyalty. For those who wish us gone, make no mistake, we will always be there! The terrace will remain alive, it always does.
‘Love us or hate us, we will always be Melbourne!’
The development was not well received online, with a number of true football fans bluntly telling OSM that they should stay away from Victory games permanently.
‘You guys are irrelevant now. Most of the photos posted in the media of persons of interest were wearing their jerseys, not Victory merchandise,’ wrote one.
‘You didn’t walk when you said you would and [you] Lost everyone’s respect. The club and its supporters are the laughing stock of the league and football fans in general because of YOU. Pack your crayons and go home.
After imposing a record $550,000 fine on Victory, Football Australia boss James Johnson called the scenes at AAMI Park “the worst witnessed in Australian rules football during the A-League era”.
Another was equally scathing, declaring: ‘You’re not Melbourne, your voice represents no one and the far north [at AAMI Park] Will [now] be full of legitimate active support.
“There is no turning back from this, the club will not work with you again. Understand it and move on.
After the invasion of the pitch, 29 people were arrested. Victoria Police Operation Cunning issued charges to the offenders which included disrupting a match, violent disorder, riotous behavior and firing flares.
After slapping Victory with a record fine, Football Australia boss James Johnson called the scenes at AAMI Park “the worst witnessed in Australian rules football during the A-League era”.
“These penalties reflect our desire to remove this behavior, and those who perpetuate it, from our game,” he said.
‘The field of play is sacred and the safety of our players and referees is paramount.
‘Those individuals who illegally entered the field of play, caused damage and verbally and physically assaulted players and officials, crossed the line.
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“We have worked closely with the Victoria Police to identify these individuals and will continue to do so to ensure that those who display anti-social and criminal behavior at football events are not involved in our game in any way.”
“The sanctions imposed on Melbourne Victory are a necessary step to ensure we create an environment where we put football first and our community can enjoy the games.”
The sanctions imposed require Melbourne Victory to block access to selected seats behind the goals, the area OSM typically occupies, and to restrict seating at the north end of AAMI Park to registered club members for the remainder of the 2022-season. 2. 3.
A suspended ten-point deduction will also be triggered for any instances of serious fan misconduct during this season and the next three seasons, ending at the end of the 2025-26 A-League men’s season.
Tension was high in the Melbourne derby after Australian Professional Leagues CEO Danny Townsend announced days before that the next three men’s and women’s A-League grand finals will be played in Sydney.
It followed a reported $10 million deal struck with Destination NSW, and left dozens of fans furious across the country.
Numerous protests followed, but the Melbourne derby scenes were another level in what was a dark day for the sport on Australian shores.