Zacary Horner: Sydney FC fan in Jubilee Stadium headbutt

A drunk Sydney FC fan who headbutted a security guard after being thrown out of a match has revealed plans to take legal action against those who apprehended him.

UPDATE

A man convicted of assaulting a security guard at a Sydney FC game has revealed he plans to take legal action against those who apprehended him due to his disorderly behaviour.

Zacary Horner, 27, pleaded guilty to common assault, offensive behaviour and refusing to comply with directions after he headbutted a security guard, swore loudly and refused to leave Jubilee Stadium as requested by police.

Horner had been shown the door due to his intoxication at the match between Sydney FC and Adelaide United, during which he yelled “c***” at Adelaide United supporters booing at the Sky Blue.

Video has emerged showing the argument unfolding between Horner, security and police as they attempt to remove him from the venue before the situation becomes physical.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order by Magistrate Brett Thomas at Sutherland Local Court last week - but now his lawyer Mohamad Sakr has revealed he has plans to take the people who removed him from the venue to court as well.

No-one involved in removing Horner from the stadium was charged with any offence in relation to the incident.

Horner being asked to leave by police.

“I will be commencing legal proceedings in relation to my client’s injuries and possible private prosecution against the security guard,” Mr Sakr said.

“It was a very traumatic experience for him - being manhandled by eight people was the first time my client experienced something like that and it still haunts him on a daily basis.”

Mr Sakr said his client allegedly suffered lacerations and bruising as well as bleeding to his head, and Horner continues to receive psychological treatment.

EARLIER

January 31, 2022

The lawyer of a man who headbutted a security guard at an A-League soccer game has argued the victim should not have been so close to his client’s head.

Blacktown’s Zacary Horner was slapped with a 12-month community corrections order and banned from visiting Netstrata Jubilee Stadium after pleading guilty to assaulting the guard at a Sydney FC versus Adelaide United game on June 19, 2021.

According to a police fact sheet tendered to Sutherland Local Court, the 27-year-old was seated in the southern area of the stadium in a group of 100-200 supporters that included young children when he went to get a drink from the bar between 7:25pm and 8pm.

Police say that Horner was walking unsteadily and appeared drunk.

A general view of the crowd during the Round 23 A-League match between Sydney FC and Perth Glory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, March 14, 2020. Note, the headbutt incident was a different match.

“Horner lunged towards two patrons seated in the southern grandstand, at which point he yelled in a loud voice accusing them of booing,” the fact sheet read.

“These actions startled the two patrons. At the time he was consuming the contents of a can of beer. He was observed to be standing in the grandstand, at which time he called out a number of comments before yelling the word ‘c***’.”

When security came and spoke to him about the behavior, police say he said: “it’s the f**king active supporter’s bay.”

Horner refused to follow an order to leave due to his level of intoxication and became aggressive, threatening to headbutt and punch police if they tried to escort him out. He later told police he had drank more than 10 cans.

According to the fact sheet, police held Horner by the arms and began to escort him from the venue.

“As he was walking towards the exit he said “don’t touch me, I’ll punch ya c***,” the fact sheet read.

“He began making a number of verbal threats to the victim and he then lunged forward, using his forehead to headbutt the victim. He was then arrested”.

Police said the victim immediately had bruising and swelling above the left eye.

In court, Magistrate Brett Thomas asked Horner’s lawyer if punching the security guard was any less serious than attacking a member of the public.

His lawyer, Mohamad Sakr, responded that it didn’t, but that certain actions had infuriated his client and he decided to headbutt him.

“I would respectfully submit a security guard should not be in such close proximity to my client’s head,” the lawyer said.

“It’s a situation where intoxication has gotten the better of him. My client had screamed in a loud voice to other supporters of an opposing side. He’s not aggressive, he’s just passionate about the sport.”

The lawyer said Horner’s first experience before a court was quite traumatic and served as a wake-up call.

“He’s decided to go out and enjoy himself but did not make the right decision about how much he could drink,” he said.

Magistrate Thomas condemned the use of the C word, particularly in front of women and children.

Horner was fined a combined $1,000 for conducting himself in an offensive manner and refusing to comply with police directions.