‘Football’s darkest moment’: Julius D’amicis, Thomas Burley face court over AAMI Park pitch invasion

Two men have faced court for their involvement in a “day of shame” for Aussie soccer after more than 100 fans stormed the pitch at AAMI Park during a match in December.

Two men involved in the invasion of a soccer field during a derby A-League match have faced court for their contribution to a notorious “day of shame for the sport”.

Julius D’amicis, 19, and Thomas Burley, 22, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

They were charged with taking part in the storming of AAMI Park on December 17 last year.

D’amicis, a Melbourne Victory fan and football player, attended the match and entered the field just after 8pm.

He hung from one of the goals and stepped on an LED screen which was already damaged and knocked down.

He also threw an empty water bottle “in the direction of security staff” who were trying to herd the pitch evaders from the ground.

He left the park and later went to Broadmeadows police station, where he was charged and bailed and gave a no comment interview.

The court heard D’amicis had a “bee in his bonnet” about a decision not to host the A-League grand finals in Melbourne over the next few years.

It heard D’amicis regarded himself as one of the “sheep” who followed others onto the pitch but that he “only sought his five seconds of glory” after the players and referees had left the arena.

The university student said the soccer players probably felt “terrible” when their fans behaved the way they did.

“I concede there was a moment of immaturity,” he said.

Magistrate Rosemary Falla said it was “a day of shame for the sport” and was “probably Australian football’s darkest moment”.

She said the fans’ behaviour “absolutely justified the decision that Melbourne was not the place to host” in future.

D’amicis pleaded guilty and was given a 15-month good behaviour bond, including a ban on attending professional soccer matches, and was ordered to donate to the court fund.

He was not convicted.

Burley, 22, made a last-minute decision to attend his first soccer match that evening.

He entered the field while Melbourne Victory players were still present, but did not approach them.

He spent 30 seconds in a goalsquare, raising his hands and clapping.

Burley later went to Richmond police station and identified himself.

He pleaded guilty and was banned from attending professional games for a year and must donate to the court fund.

He was also not convicted.