Police probe brawl at local football match - weeks after club was involved in another incident

There is a push to have a Sydney soccer club kicked out, with a petition calling for rival teams to boycott games. It comes after another incident involving police.

Footage showing the aftermath of the brawl during a local football match at Banksia on Saturday. Picture: Supplied.

Police have launched an investigation into a brawl at a local football match in Sydney’s southwest, which saw spectators rush the field and came just weeks after one of the clubs was involved in a separate incident.

Officers were called to Gardiner Park in Banksia about 4:45pm on Saturday, following reports a fight had broken out in the crowd at the St George premier league game between the Banksia Tigers and Scots Lions FC.

The “poor behaviour” has been slammed by Sports Minister Steve Kamper who said the government had a “zero tolerance” stance for such incidents.

Following the huge brawl last month, an online petition was launched which called for action to be taken against Banksia FC and Arncliffe Aurora.

The online petition calls for rival teams - senior and junior - to boycott any matches against the two clubs. It has more than 1000 signatures.

“If we all stop showing up against them then FSG and Football NSW will be forced to deal with the situation by kicking these clubs, players and supporters out of our game for good,” the petition reads.

Football St George have launched their own investigation into a number of recent incidents involving the club, with newly appointed CEO Gary Lockwood saying it won’t be swayed by any public pressure.

“We acknowledge the existence of petitions and the rights of residents to put forward their view point. From an FSG standpoint we need to ensure that we have all of the facts available to us to make determinations in these matters,” Mr Lockwood said.

“The purpose of our disciplinary process is to ensure each one is dealt with in a fair, independent and impartial manner.”

In a statement posted to social media, the Banksia Tigers Football Club said, “we are actively co-operating with Football St George in their investigation, and are also conducting our own internal review.”

Police were told that two groups were directing heckles at each other, before the incident escalated, when a group of spectators moved onto the field challenging another group.

Bystanders tried to separate the groups, but were unsuccessful – leading to the referee to make the call of abandoning the game.

During the melee, a 20-year-old man was reportedly injured, but he did not require any medical assistance.

The majority of the crowd had dispersed when police arrived, with two men issued with move-on directions.

A referee made the call to abandon the game in the aftermath of the brawl. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Kamper said community sport should be a welcome environment and not be a place of violence.

“Community sport should be a place where everyone feels safe and the NSW Government has zero tolerance for violence or poor behaviour at community sport,” Minister Kamper said.

“This behaviour is against the law and violent or anti-social incidents are dealt with by the NSW Police using the full force of the law.”

Police arrive at the match at Banksia. Picture: Supplied.

Police have spoken to officials at both clubs, and are appealing for any information about the incident. Last month, the Banksia Tigers were involved in a separate brawl which involved up to 40 players and spectators at Gannons Park in Peakhurst, where a 20-year-old man was charged with affray.

Footage obtained by the Daily Telegraph shows the players leaving the field into the crowd with hundreds of spectators seen trying to avoid the pushing and shoving, as officials and police rushed in to calm the tensions.

Police have laid no charges over Saturday’s incident and are appealing for anyone with information about it to come forward.