Melbourne derby: James Johnson says Football Australia won’t cripple Melbourne Victory with penalties

Football Australia has hinted at the sanctions Melbourne Victory could receive after the A-League derby pitch invasion, but vowed not to “cripple” one of its powerhouse clubs.

Football Australia boss James Johnson has promised not to “cripple” Melbourne Victory in sanctions to be imposed on the A-League following the pitch invasion and assault of a player, referee and cameraman in the Melbourne derby.

Johnson confirmed the Victory had met its Wednesday 9am (AEDT) deadline to submit a reply to the show cause notice that was issued to the Melbourne club by FA.

“Swift” action against the Victory is the intention, but a time frame hasn’t been put on when sanctions will be announced.

Potential punishments are likely to include hefty fines, docking of competition points and playing home matches in empty stadiums.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson.

“We needed to give Melbourne Victory natural justice and an opportunity to respond to the show cause (notice) that we sent only on Monday,” FA chief executive officer Johnson told Fox Sports.

“We’re not trying to cripple the club, and we’re not trying to damage the club either, but what we’re trying to do is have a package of sanctions, both individual sanctions and sanctions against the club.

“We want to send a message to try to deter this kind of action and behaviour happening again.

“We want to give confidence to the community that they can come out to football matches and feel safe, and we also need to hold the club accountable because of the behaviour of purported spectators of Melbourne Victory.”

FA has already banned two Victorian men – a 23-year-old from Craigieburn and a 19-year-old man from Meadow Heights – for life from “all related football activity”, including attending Football Australia-sanctioned football matches and events, including all A-League, Australia Cup, National Premier League and national team matches, and registering as a football participant.

“We’re expecting to receive another 10 to 15 identities of those that invaded the pitch, so we’re going to work through each of those individuals and there will be further sanctions imposed on those individuals,” Johnson said.

“What happened on the weekend with the (pitch) invasion is just not acceptable in Australian football. We won’t tolerate it.”

Spectators storm the pitch during the Melbourne derby.

In the incident on Saturday night, which forced the abandonment of the derby after 20 minutes, Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover, referee Alex King and a cameraman were assaulted.

The pitch invasion was part of a protest against an Australian Professional Leagues decision to sell A-League grand finals to Sydney for the next three years.

Johnson had no problems with the peaceful protests that took place at other A-League venues.

“We acknowledge that the league’s got to grow its economy, but we also acknowledge that the fans really need to be at the centre of big decisions (about) the game, and we’re encouraging better dialogue,” he said.

“We’re happy to participate in a conversation, but we really want to at this stage encourage the APL and the cubs to talk to their fans.”

FA is also contemplating measures that need implementing at AAMI Park on Monday when the Victory meet Western United to “ensure the safety of all fans, players, officials, and staff”.

‘BUCKET MAN’ RECEIVES LIFE BAN FROM FOOTBALL

Tim Michell

Two of the hooligans who stormed the pitch during the Melbourne derby have been handed life bans by Football Australia.

The governing body confirmed on Tuesday two spectators — including the man who threw a bucket which injured Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover — had been banned for life from “all football related activity”.

Their bans take in any Football Australia-sanctioned matches including the A-Leagues, Australia Cup, National Premier League, and National Team games.

The 23-year-old Craigieburn man and 19-year-old Meadow Heights man also cannot register as a football participant for the rest of their lives.

Both men have also been charged by Victoria Police as part of a wider investigation into the events which marred the Melbourne derby and shocked sport fans across Australia.

The bucket which collected Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson said more of the people who stormed the AAMI Park pitch were expected to face lengthy sanctions.

“The actions of these two, and others who are of interest to us, are completely unacceptable and those people and their behaviours will never be welcome in our game,” Johnson said.

“Football has a zero-tolerance policy to disruptive, destructive, violent, and anti-social behaviour at its sanctioned events, and it will not tolerate behaviour that has the potential to threaten the safety or security of spectators, players, and officials. These significant bans against these individuals are consistent with this position.

“Football Australia is working around the clock on this investigation to ensure that the scenes witnessed at AAMI Park in Melbourne are never repeated again.”

Melbourne Victory is awaiting an announcement on possible penalties, which could be handed down as soon as Wednesday.

Originally published as Melbourne derby: James Johnson says Football Australia won’t cripple Melbourne Victory with penalties