John Aloisi doesn’t want Australian football to be defined by violent actions of ‘idiots’ at Melbourne derby

Protests of a peaceful nature took place at AAMI Park on Sunday as Australian football tried to recover from the shameful scenes at the Melbourne derby.

Protesting fans leave AAMI Park on Sunday after 20 minutes. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

Western United coach John Aloisi made an impassioned plea for Australian football not to “shoot ourselves in the foot” as the game made a low-key start to what looms as a lengthy recovery following the Melbourne derby disgrace.

Less than 24 hours after Australian football’s night of shame at AAMI Park, United hosted Western Sydney Wanderers at the same venue, with Aloisi’s men prevailing 1-0 thanks to an early goal from star striker Aleksandar Prijović.

The crowd was tiny compared to the attendance at the derby, which was marred by Melbourne Victory supporters invading the pitch after 20 minutes and assaulting Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover, referee Alex King and a television cameraman.

The actions were in protest to the decision of the Australian Professional Leagues to sell A-League grand finals to Sydney for the next three years.

In contrast, the protests on Sunday were peaceful and in keeping with actions of active supporter groups of other A-League clubs, who walked out of the ground after 20 minutes.

“I don’t mind a peaceful demonstration, because we’re all upset about the decision,” said Socceroos legend Aloisi, who felt “sick” while watching Saturday night events unfold.

“It hurt ... but we won’t allow that to knock us down.

“I read so many messages and so many people saying that’s the end of the A-League, Australian football taking another backwards step ... (but) we should actually get together and be stronger, and make sure that the minority and the idiots that caused that issue (on Saturday night) stay away.

“We shouldn’t let a minority dictate what’s going to happen with football in this country, because we’re in a great position in terms of how well we did at the World Cup.

“A lot of those (Socceroos) players have come through the A-League. The A-League is at a good standard, there’s a lot of people playing the game in this country, (and) we want people to come to the games.”

Earlier on Network 10, Aloisi said: “I love the game and I want the game moving forward, and it has been moving forward. Let’s not kill ourselves, let’s not shoot ourselves in the foot.

“The football, that’s what we should be talking about.

“Don’t define Melbourne Victory or Melbourne City (by the actions of) some idiots.”

Fans protest the decision to sell the A-League grand finals to Sydney. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

In contrast, Wanderers coach Marko Rudan refused to comment on Saturday night’s incident.

“I won’t be commenting. It’s got nothing to do with today’s game. I think enough people have had enough to say about it,” Rudan said.

The APL finally broke its silence on Saturday night’s incident by releasing a five-paragraph statement.

“Football is the most inclusive sport. It is for families and for law-abiding citizens who want to passionately support their team,” the statement said.

“The events that unfolded at the Melbourne derby last night, demonstrated that a small minority of people with criminal intent hide within our game.

“They neither understand nor love our game. What they do understand is how to use our game as a platform for their anti-social and illegal objectives.

“This is a watershed moment for our game that demands a zero tolerance for the incidents that we witnessed last night and the kind of people that perpetrated them.

“Our clubs will work deliberately and exhaustively, hand-in hand with law enforcement agencies, and with Football Australia – as the game’s regulator – to ensure that our game can never again be used as camouflage for criminals.”

United’s victory on Sunday was just its second of what has so far been a tough title defence.

“It was a massive win for us, ” Aloisi said.

“It was really important to keep that clean sheet, and make sure that we get back to what we’re really good at, and that’s making it hard for teams playing against us to score any goals or get any chances.”

In Sunday’s late game, Bachana Arabuli’s first A-League goal secured Macarthur FC a 1-0 win over Perth Glory at Campbelltown Stadium.

Originally published as John Aloisi doesn’t want Australian football to be defined by violent actions of ‘idiots’ at Melbourne derby