Leichhardt Oval Australia Cup chaos: Northmead man arrested, charged

A man has been arrested following an investigation into an incident, involving violence, flares and rock throwing, in the aftermath of a professional football fixture at Leichhardt Oval.

A man has been arrested following an investigation into an incident, involving violence, flares and rock throwing, in the aftermath of a professional football fixture at Leichhardt Oval.

Police were called to the sports precinct about 7.30pm on July 31 after reports of a brawl at the end of an Australia Cup match involving Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners.

When the riot squad and officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command the crowd dispersed. No injuries were reported.

A 20-year-old man was arrested by police over a public order incident following soccer match. Photo: NSW Police

An investigation was launched, named Strike Force Bramhall, to identify those involved.

A search warrant was executed at a Northmead home on Thursday with items seized relevant to the investigation. A 20-year-old man, who lives at the address, was later arrested.

He was taken to Merrylands police station and charged with riot and drug possession.

The man was granted conditional bail and will front Parramatta Local Court on September 7.

“Leichhardt Oval is predominantly family-friendly place, and what we saw was incredibly dangerous and reckless,” chief inspector Grant Watson said following the incident.

“Throwing flares can cause serious injuries. There were a lot of children and families there – we’re incredibly disappointed with what happened.”

Further investigations into the incident are continuing.