A-League pitch invasion: Thugs involved in Melbourne derby pitch invasion bust face charges, bans

A pitch invaded, a player attacked, a match abandoned. This was one of the most violent scenes ever witnessed at a major sporting event in Australia, writes Phil Rothfield.

Members of Victoria Police are seen on the pitch after fans stormed the ground

It could only happen in Australian soccer.

A fortnight after the Socceroos performed so magnificently at the FIFA World Cup to give the round-ball game and the A-League a desperately needed lift, we witness the most appalling scenes in Melbourne on Saturday night.

A pitch invasion, a player assaulted, a match abandoned.

An absolute disgrace.

Melbourne City goalkeeper Thomas Glover was left concussed after being struck in the face with a garbage bin.

These were some of the most violent scenes ever witnessed at a major sporting event in this country.

A bleeding Tom Glover of Melbourne City is escorted from the pitch by team mates

Those responsible need to be identified and banned for life.

And it shouldn’t stop there.

Police need to lay charges and put the thugs before a court.

And the people running the A-League need to do something about the hopelessly inadequate security to handle an incident like this.

The shocking behaviour of these fans has ruined all that the Socceroos achieved so brilliantly in Qatar.

Anyone thinking of attending an A-League game on the back of the Socceroos’ success will no doubt be having second thoughts.

A bleeding Tom Glover of Melbourne City is escorted from the pitch

It’s sad to say … but this has set the game back years.

An A-League game can no longer be considered safe for families.

Not when fans behave as disgracefully as they did on Saturday night.

Soccer presenter Tara Rushton summed it up so well on social media.

“Absolutely heartbroken,” Rushton wrote.

“For those who love this game, who set their alarms to support the Socceroos, for the young kids sitting here in the stands tonight wondering what on earth they have just witnessed. I am so embarrassed. The behaviour tonight completely unacceptable.”

Originally published as A-League pitch invasion: Thugs involved in Melbourne derby pitch invasion bust face charges, bans