‘Shameful’: Premier Daniel Andrews slams A-League hooligans

The Victorian Premier has slammed soccer fans who stormed onto the pitch of an A-League match in Melbourne, calling the wild scenes “shameful”.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has slammed soccer fans who stormed onto the pitch of an A-League match during dramatic scenes in Melbourne.

Hundreds of spectators stormed AAMI Park field on Saturday night during the first half of the match between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne FC.

Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover and referee Alex King were injured – Glover struck with a metal bucket full of sand in what Victoria Police called a “disgraceful” display.

A cameraman was also allegedly struck in the back of a head with a flare.

Mr Andrews said those involved deserved to feel the full force of the law.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews slammed the people responsible for the incident at the A-league match. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“It’s shameful, it’s wrong. That’s not us. That sort of violence is not acceptable anywhere and that’s not part sport or part of our way of life and I condemn it in the strongest way,” he said.

“I know that governing bodies, venue operators and Victoria Police, they’re hard out finding out those people.

“They will feel the full force of the law.”

Mr Andrews went on to say the small number of hooligans gave a bad name for thousands of fans who attended just to watch the game.

“Those sorts of scenes (shouldn’t be) part of sport, they’ve got nothing to do with sport,” he said.

“They are an insult to that game and it is a profound insult o every fan who goes along for the beauty of that game.”

A bleeding Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover is escorted from the pitch. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Victoria Police said “investigations remain ongoing” in a statement on Sunday evening.

No arrests have been made and nobody has been charged as of Monday morning.

Police warned on Sunday they would be “knocking on a few doors” imminently in a bid to find those responsible.

Fans set off flares before storming the pitch. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Police and thousands of supporters have condemned the behaviour on what has been called football’s “night of shame”.

The match was abandoned and Football Australia said in a statement that such behaviour had “no place” in Australian football.

It promised “strong sanctions” against those involved.

Originally published as ‘Shameful’: Premier Daniel Andrews slams A-League hooligans