EDFL: Fines handed down by police after St Albans and Hillside brawl

A league at the centre of a wild local footy brawl last month has announced heavy sanctions for the clubs, while police have fined three people for their involvement including club officials.

The clubs involved in a nasty local footy brawl have been hit hard with massive fines and premiership points stripped.

The Essendon District league announced the sanctions for St Albans and Hillside after their Division 1 senior men’s clash was called off at three-quarter-time when spectators and players clashed on May 20.

It came after police confirmed three people had been fined for their involvement in the incident.

Both clubs were charged with breaches of “conduct unbecoming arising out of the actions of its players, officials, supporters, and persons associated with the club”.

Both clubs have been deducted four premiership points while all players who participated in the game have been given a suspended one-match ban.

St Albans has been handed a $25,000 fine while Hillside was fined $20,000.

Meanwhile, two St Albans officials will be dealt with by the EDFL board in a separate hearing, along with a member of Hillside.

“The EDFL is extremely disappointed in the behaviour of both the St Albans Football Club and Hillside Football Club in relation to their players, officials, and supporters and their actions prior to and after the Round 6 match was abandoned,” EDFL chairman Bernie Shinners said.

“The penalties reflect the seriousness in which the EDFL has treated this matter and will treat similar events if they occur in the future.

“The EDFL will continue to show strong leadership to ensure any anti-social behaviour is stamped out of the game we love and to ensure all feel welcome and safe in participating in and around matches.”

A Victoria Police spokesperson said two people alleged to have been associated with St Albans and one alleged to be involved with Hillside were fined $740 each for behaving in a riotous manner on May 20.

“Police have issued three men with an infringement notice each following an alleged brawl which took place at a sports ground in Kings Park on Saturday 20 May,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

“Police attended a football game on Gillespie Road at about 4pm after a fight broke out between the teams and spectators.

“Police dispersed the crowd and commenced and investigation, engaging with the league and the clubs associated in the incident.

“Three men were interviewed by police on Wednesday 31 May, which resulted in them all being issued with fines for behaving in a riotous manner.

“The investigation remains ongoing.”

St Albans must also “advise and implement changes in and around their change rooms (home and away) to ensure the safe passage of all players and officials in and out of the rooms before, during, and after games, in the short-term and for the long-term”.

Both clubs are “required to implement further education and training for all players, supporters, and officials about anti-social behaviour and their code of conduct”.

The EDFL also announced $15,000 of the imposed sanction will be donated to a charity or educational organisation.

Since the incident, spectators have been banned from attending the coach’s huddle at EDFL games.

Spectators will only be allowed inside the 50m arcs during these breaks.

Match day managers have also been introduced at senior matches.

Clubs are also enforcing a 25m exclusion zone around coaches boxes at senior and junior level.