Alexander Grutteria walks free after allegations of throwing water bottle at AFL goal umpire struck out

A lifetime ban against a Carlton fan who had been accused of throwing a water bottle and injuring an AFL umpire will likely remain in place, despite all criminal charges being dropped.

A lifetime ban against a Carlton fan who had been accused of throwing a water bottle and injuring an AFL umpire will likely remain in place, despite all criminal charges against the man being dropped.

Alexander Grutteria, 23, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where all charges against him — in relation to an alleged incident at the Round 24 AFL match between Carlton and St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in August — were struck out.

In August, Mr Grutteria was charged with recklessly causing injury, discharging a missile and unlawful assault after he allegedly threw a “partially filled” water bottle onto the field which hit goal umpire Steven Piperno.

However, the Herald Sun understands the AFL will likely uphold Mr Grutteria’s lifetime ban from attending any AFL or AFLW matches — which was imposed in the aftermath of the alleged bottle throwing incident.

Mr Grutteria was contacted for comment but did not respond.

Alexander Grutteria, 23, leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court after his charges were struck out. He was charged with throwing a bottle at umpire Steven Piperno at Marvel stadium during a clash between Carlton and St Kilda on August 25 last year. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

Alexander Grutteria outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

At a previous appearance, Mr Grutteria’s lawyer Sylvia Barbadonis said “identification (was) an issue” in the case, with no CCTV or broadcast footage capturing anyone throwing the bottle.

The only footage of Mr Grutteria was of him sitting inside the stadium and leaving the ground “with others in the same vicinity”.

It was alleged the bottle was thrown with about 13 minutes to go in the second quarter from the vicinity of the Carlton cheer squad after a free kick was paid against the Blues which “angered the cheer squad”.

The goal umpire suffered a 2cm laceration which resulted in “moderate bleeding” and had to be taken off the field afterthe bottle hit the back of his head.

AFL umpire Steven Piperno was hit in the head with a water bottle during the Round 24 match between Carlton and St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on August 25, 2024. Picture: Supplied

In the days after the alleged August assault, the Northcote man was banned for life from all AFL and AFLW matches.

The AFL at the time confirmed the man previously held a three-game Carlton membership but was no longer eligible to purchase an AFL membership of any kind.

In August last year, AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said the alleged bottle throw was “not acceptable”.

“A record 7.75 million fans attended matches this year, we have the best fans in the world, but if you choose to assault someone who is doing their job then you will lose the privilege of being able to attend the footy.

“We are glad Steven was not seriously hurt.”