>
Melbourne Victory are BANNED from selling tickets for home games and their fans are barred from away games under the first wave of sanctions for the misfortune of pitch trespassing.
- Football Australia handed down initial sanctions for the club on Friday
- The temporary measures against the club are in force until January 15
- Police will be ‘highly visible’ at club’s next Boxing Day game
Melbourne Victory have been prevented from selling tickets for home matches while their fans are barred from away matches under initial Football Australia (FA) sanctions for the violent derby pitch invasion.
Victory received a notice of demonstrative cause after 150 spectators stormed the AAMI Park ground at Saturday night’s A-League Men’s match against Melbourne City, forcing the match to be abandoned.
City goalkeeper Tom Glover suffered a concussion and facial laceration when he was hit with a metal bucket wielded by a pitch invader, while referee Alex King, a TV cameraman and two security guards were also injured. in the tumult
Final sanctions are yet to be fully determined by Football Australia as they have not completed the show cause process, but have put temporary measures in place until 15 January.
Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover is carried off the pitch by security after being seriously injured during the pitch invasion in last Saturday’s Melbourne derby.
Victory fans (seen invading the pitch) are now unable to attend any away games under the first wave of Football Australia sanctions.
During that time, Victory fans are unable to attend the men’s Boxing Day away clash against Western United at AAMI Park.
Only United members and fans who purchased a ticket before 11 a.m. Friday are allowed to attend, with other tickets to be refunded and any related ticket operator fees to be borne by Victory.
Plans previously confirmed by Victoria Police include “a highly visible police presence” in the game.
Victory fans are also unable to attend the men’s away games against Central Coast on New Year’s Eve or Adelaide United on January 14, with the visitor bays closed.
Tickets associated with a Victorian postcode or believed to be for Victory fans will be refunded.
Only Victory members are allowed to attend their January 6 doubleheader, where the men play the Brisbane Roar and the women play the Perth Glory, with other tickets refunded.
The Victory women host Canberra United on December 31 and play away City on January 14.
Violent derby scenes shocked Australian rules football
On Friday, Victoria Police released more images of fans searching for the pitch invasion (pictured)
The active home and visitor areas of the club have been closed.
Melbourne City’s home and away active bays will also be cordoned off at home games until otherwise stated while the FA reviews the conduct of City supporters in the derby.
The game’s governing body will use the show cause process to consider ‘additional sporting and financial sanctions’, which could include point deductions and fines, for Victory.
Victoria Police confirmed that 29 people had been arrested over the pitch trespassing, with 24, including 11 men aged between 18 and 38 who were treated on Friday, so far facing charges.
So far, the police have identified a total of 36 people.
The FA has also issued bans preventing pitch invaders from attending or participating in football.
Two pitch invaders received lifetime bans on Tuesday, while eight others on Thursday were slapped with terms ranging from five to 20 years.
About $150,000 worth of damage was caused to AAMI Park during the invasion of the pitch and about 80 sparklers or fireworks were set off, police say.