Video of alleged hat attack by star Adelaide Crows player after fiery Saturday night showdown
Video has emerged capturing the moment Crows star Matt Crouch allegedly knocks a hat off a Port fan after Saturday’s fiery Showdown 56. Watch it here.
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A police investigation is underway after a Port Adelaide supporter accused Adelaide Crow Matt Crouch of knocking off his hat, following the drama-filled Showdown at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Footage obtained by 7News revealed the altercation occurred while Crouch and several Crows teammates were leaving the field at the end of the match.
The 29-year-old midfielder could be seen approaching a Port Adelaide fan, before he flung the spectator’s hat off his head.
The footy fan was reportedly yelling over the fence moments before the incident occurred, and then was later captured voicing his complaints to Crows staff members.
A spokesman for SA Police said the matter was under investigation by Eastern District Police, after they received a report at the end of the Showdown.
“Police are aware of videos circulating on social media which appear to relate to the incident and ask if anyone has information to call Crime Stoppers,” the spokesman said.
The incident comes after Port Adelaide Football Club’s mascot ‘Thunda’ was viciously assaulted, moments before the fiery showdown kicked off.
It comes after an entirely separate incident in which Port Adelaide Football Club’s mascot ‘Thunda’ was viciously punched, moments before the fiery Showdown kicked off.
Authorities confirmed the footy club’s mascot was punched in the face by a minor, as they took photos with fans on the boundary of the western stand at Adelaide Oval.
In a post on a Port Adelaide fan group Facebook group, it was claimed that a Crows supporter, who looked around 10 to 13-years-old, was behind the attack.
The person inside the mascot costume was left with a bloodied nose and was treated and cleared of any potential concussion by medical staff at the oval, before they returned to the ground.
Port Adelaide assistant coach Tyson Goldsack said mascots should not be subject to violence.
“I heard it briefly, I’m not sure what exactly happened but you certainly don’t want to be attacking mascots that’s for sure,” he said. The Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority said it was unable to make further comment on the incident, after it confirmed that the incident involved a minor.
In another incident during the Power’s 22-point Showdown win over the Crows, Port Adelaide’s small forward Willie Rioli was the subject of an “abhorrent and unacceptable” racist social media post.
Port Adelaide confirmed the incident was being investigated and “the individual involved was not a Crows member.”
The AFL’s Integrity Department was also notified of that incident.
“The club condemns all forms of racism. It causes deep harm and distress beyond the individual the words are directed at,” Port Adelaide Football Club said in a statement.
“Racism is abhorrent, unacceptable and never welcome – not in football, not anywhere.
“The club is supporting Willie and his family and will continue to use its platform to educate.”
Goldsack said the game and society needed to do better, and there was “no place for it (racism) in life or in football”.
“I have not spoken to him personally today, as a society it is just not a good look,” he said.
The Power won 80 to 58.
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