Football Australia impose bans on another SEVEN Melbourne Victory batsmen

Football Australia today released a further seven as part of the organization’s ongoing investigation into the unacceptable events that took place during the A-League Men’s game between Melbourne City FC and Melbourne Victory FC at AAMI Park on Saturday 17 December Ban imposed on viewers.

Today’s announcement brings the number of suspensions imposed by Football Australia following the Melbourne Derby to 17, with Football Australia continuing to work with Victoria Police on additional individuals of interest.

This latest round of bans affects people aged 19-28, with a lifetime ban and remaining sanctions of 10-20 years.

These bans are effective immediately and exclude such persons from all football activities, including registering as a football participant and attending Football Australia sanctioned matches and events covering all A-Leagues, the Australia Cup, the National Premier League and matches of the include national team.

The seven individuals were fined by Football Australia for a variety of offenses – each case being different – including entering the field without authorisation; engage in behavior that may harm or endanger others; Engage in conduct that has caused or may cause unlawful damage to the Venue or the various forms of infrastructure within the Venue; and dangerous throwing of a projectile and/or missile.

Victoria Police confirmed these seven people are also the subject of a number of criminal charges.

The 28-year-old Albert Park man is charged with riotous conduct, harassing the public, entering sports competitions (interfering with a game, game, sport or event), entering sports competitions, committing a criminal offense while on bail.

Football Australia sanction: lifetime ban

19-year-old Preston man charged with violent disorder, unlawful assault, riotous conduct, launching a missile to cause injury/danger, harassing the public, entering a sports competition space (interfering with a game, game, sport or event), trespassing sports competition room

Football Australia sanction: 20 years

Reservoir man, 25, charged with violent disorder, riotous conduct, public nuisance, entering a sports competition room (interfering with a game, game, sport or event), entering a sports competition room, wrongful bodily harm x 2.

Football Australia Sanction: 15 years

21-year-old Sunbury man charged with violent disorder, rioting, harassing the public, entering a sports competition room (interfering with game play, entering a sports competition room, possessing a lighted distress signal and throwing a lighted distress signal.

Football Australia sanction: 10 years

19-year-old man from Coburg charged with violent crimes, damaging property, rioting, harassing the public, entering a sports competition room (interfering with a game, game, sport or event), entering a sports competition room.

Football Australia sanction: 10 years

22-year-old Croydon man charged with violent disorder, criminal damage, riotous conduct, public harassment, entering sporting competitions x 2.

Football Australia sanction: 10 years

The 22-year-old man from Carrum Downs is charged with violent disorder, public nuisance, unlawful assault, entering the sports arena x 2 and riotous conduct.

Football Australia sanction: 10 years

None of those seven people are currently on suspension from Football Australia.

Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said Football Australia will continue its ongoing investigation for as long as necessary and impose further suspensions.

“Football Australia has now imposed 17 bans on individuals and provisional sanctions on Melbourne Victory as the first package of measures in response to the shocking incidents witnessed at the Melbourne Derby,” Johnson said.

“Football Australia’s response to the incident and the significant suspensions we have imposed so far send a clear message that these people are not welcome in our game and the Australian football community will never tolerate such behavior in our game.

“We would like to thank the Victorian Police for their continued cooperation throughout the process. We share a shared commitment to creating safe spaces for our communities and will continue to work together to enact more bans.

“Football Australia also continues to assess Melbourne Victory’s response to our communication on the cause of the show, with final sanctions against the club to follow soon,” Johnson concluded.

Victoria Police continue to appeal for public support related to criminal damage and the release of flares and rockets including chairs, buckets and bottles during the pitch invasion. Police have released more images of people who may be able to assist in their investigation into these matters.

Football Australia encourages our football community and the wider public to contact Crime Stoppers for any further information on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

As part of the ongoing investigation, Football Australia will also finalize and announce the determination of Melbourne Victory FC’s show-cause process next week.

Melbourne Victory FC will play a double header at AAMI Park today, Friday 6 January, with their women’s A-League team taking on Perth Glory FC and their men’s A-League team taking on Brisbane Roar FC. Under the provisional sanctions imposed on 23 December 2022, tickets cannot be sold to the general public and only valid Melbourne Victory FC members can attend these matches.