Violent clash: Crowd brawl halts Ainsworth Reserve footy match

A LOCAL football match in the western suburbs has descended into violence after a brawl between spectators halted the game as police were called in.

A match in the western suburbs descended into violence after a brawl between spectators halted the game. Picture: File image

A LOCAL football match in the western suburbs has descended into violence after a brawl between spectators halted the game as police were called in.

Police were called to the match between the Wyndham Suns and Sunshine Heights at Ainsworth Reserve around 4pm on Saturday after reports a melee had erupted.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the incident was over by the time they arrived.

“Police have not received any reports of assault at this stage,” a spokesman said.

Footy fans took to social media to vent their frustration at yet another “ugly” outbreak of violence involving clubs from the Western Regions Football League.

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“It’s getting beyond a joke with the amount fights that are happening in the lower divisions especially behind the fence,” one member posted to the Big Footy online forum.

“I’m all for a bit of banter over the fence but it seems in this comp especially that it is getting out of control with the amount of crowd incidents that has occurred,” read another comment.

It is the latest in a series of violent episodes at suburban football games which fans fear is tarnishing the game.

In September last year, police were called in to investigate when more than 150 spectators were kicked, punched and racially abused at a football match in Tarneit.

The Western Region Football League has not responded to requests by the Herald Sun for comment.