AFL: Disgraceful scenes as a bleeding goal umpire is forced from the ground after being hit in the head with a bottle thrown by a fan at Carltons vs St Kilda

A referee has been sent off and requires medical attention after being punched in the head by a football fan during one of the final games of the AFL home and away season.

Goal referee Steven Piperno was hit from behind by a flying bottle, which appeared to be full of water, midway through the second quarter during Carlton’s crucial match against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

He was replaced by an emergency referee while medical staff checked him at the boundary line.

The fan reportedly fled the stadium shortly after the incident, while police and stadium security launched an investigation.

The bottle came from the direction of Carlton’s cheerleading team, who protested loudly during the first two quarters when their team won the decisive free kick (12-3).

Piperno did not return to the field to lead the second half, but he did give the crowd and TV cameras a double thumbs up while sitting on the boundary line shortly after his assessment.

According to AFL experts, the fan will face a lifetime ban if caught.

Shocked commentators expressed their disappointment with the fans, both during and after the match.

Medical personnel examined Piperno, who had bleeding from his head as a result of the incident

“Terrible to see a bottle thrown at the referee,” wrote former Sydney Swans star player and now AFL commentator Jude Bolton on X.

‘Unacceptable and disgusting behavior.’

Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor called the incident an “absolute disgrace”.

“There’s no room for that in any game,” he said.

“I know he looks good and he’s taken it well, but he’s got quite a bit of blood being sucked out of the back of his head, so it’s not something to take lightly.”

Garry Lyon also criticised the ‘cowardly act’ on Fox Footy’s Sunday Ticket programme.

“That’s just a borderline case, that’s it. This coward will be exposed and he will never return to football,” he said.

Piperno did not return to his duties in the second half, but gave the supporters a double thumbs up

Richmond veteran Jack Riewoldt noted that the bottle came from low in the stands.

‘Someone tried to walk through the cheerleading team and throw a bottle at a referee who has absolutely no influence on the number of free kicks… it is an act of sheer cowardice.’

Police have reportedly been interviewing witnesses in the area as they continue to investigate.

Fans expressed their disgust over the ‘dog act’ on social media.

“Whoever threw the water bottle and hit the referee should be charged with assault and banned for at least 10 years,” one fan wrote on X.

Marvel Stadium police and security immediately investigated the incident Sunday evening

Tensions ran high in Melbourne as the Blues desperately tried to secure a place in the final

‘A well deserved life ban for the absolute caveman who threw that water bottle at the goal umpire. Despicable,’ wrote another.

Tensions ran high during the final home and away game as Carlton desperately tried to secure a top eight spot for the final.

However, the Saints came out on top and finished the season with .

A late goal from Jack Higgins put the Saints ahead with just 12 seconds left on the clock and gave them a two-point victory.

Carlton narrowly qualified for the final after Port Adelaide defeated Fremantle.