Football Australia has fined Melbourne Victory a report $550,000 for bringing the sport into disrepute following the riotous scenes when followers stormed the pitch in the course of the derby with Melbourne City final December.
The monetary sanctions whole $550,000, comprising $450,000 in fines and damages and $100,000 in misplaced income because of the sporting sanctions imposed.
Victory followers invaded the pitch after City goalkeeper Tom Glover threw a flare in direction of them, and he was hit within the head with a bucket thrown by a fan who was one in every of 16 supporters subsequently banned, some for all times.
Along with the monetary penalty, the FFA additionally declared that seating for under registered membership members can be allowed at Victory dwelling video games for the rest of the 2022-23 season and finals collection.
Also, no particularly allotted membership supporter seating on the membership’s away video games can be supplied for the rest of the season and 2022-23.
Victory additionally has been handed a suspended 10-point deduction which may be triggered for “each instance of serious supporter misconduct during this season and the next three seasons”.
“Football Australia has found that the Melbourne Victory Football Club, through the inexcusable conduct of many individuals who entered the field of play from the Melbourne Victory Active Supporters section at the Melbourne derby on 17 December, 2022, has committed a serious breach of our rules and regulations,” FFA boss James Johnson stated.
“The sanctions we have issued against Melbourne Victory are the heaviest in the A-League era. These sanctions are reflective of our desire to remove this behaviour and those that perpetuate it, from our game. They also form part of a broader response to this incident which has seen 17 bans issued against individuals to date, including three lifetime bans, and preliminary sanctions against Melbourne Victory.
“The field of play is sacred and the safety of our players and match officials is paramount. Those individuals that illegally entered the field of play, caused damage and verbally and physically assaulted players and officials crossed the line. We have worked closely with Victoria Police to identify these individuals and will continue to do so to ensure those that display anti-social and criminal behaviour at football events are not involved in our game in any way.
“I can sympathise with the vast majority of fans and the broader football community who were sickened and hurt by the actions of those individuals.
“The sanctions imposed on Melbourne Victory are a necessary step to ensure we create an environment where we place football first and our community can enjoy matches.”
The match, which was deserted after 22 minutes, can be replayed in April 2023 from the twenty second minute, with the 1-0 scoreline in City’s favour standing.
Victory has seven business days to attraction Football Australia’s willpower ought to the membership elect to take action.
Originally printed as Melbourne Victory fined $520,000 for derby riot
