Alex Agelopoulos revealed as ‘Bucket Man’ involved in Melbourne Victory pitch invasion

A man who allegedly smashed a Melbourne City goalkeeper’s face with a bucket of sand has appeared in court via video link from Newcastle while on bail.

The Herald Sun earlier revealed Agelopoulos had previously been banned from games.

A man dubbed “Bucket Man” has travelled to Newcastle while on bail for assaulting a goalkeeper during the Aami Park pitch invasion, which a magistrate described as “relatively notorious”.

Alex Agelopoulos faced a short hearing via video link in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where he held his camera under his chin and complained of his bad wi-fi connection.

“I’m in Newcastle, I’ve got some wi-fi to be on this call,” said Mr Agelopoulos, who faces a string of assault charges for allegedly smashing Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover in the face with a metal bucket of sand.

The mass pitch invasion forced authorities to shut down the derby match against Melbourne Victory on December 17, making headlines around the world.

The 23-year-old was beamed into court to vary his bail address, which had been listed in Craigieburn but needed to be changed to Northcote.

Magistrate John Hardy said there was no information before the court about the case, besides an application to vary his bail conditions to the new address.

But His Honour said he could glean what the case related to and that it was “relatively notorious”.

Alex Agelopoulos faced a short hearing via video link in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

“If your client’s in Newcastle how’s he going to sign his bail and when’s he going to be back?” Mr Hardy asked his solicitor, Martin Amad.

“He’s only away for a short period of time, Your Honour,” his lawyer replied, noting he’d be back in town soon.

Mr Hardy reminded Mr Agelopoulos he was banned from Aami Park stadium and the Olympic Park precinct, and was not permitted to attend any A-League or Melbourne Victory matches as part of his bail conditions.

“Understood — I do understand,” Mr Agelopoulos replied.

He was ordered to attend the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to sign his new bail as soon as he was back in town.

His charges include violent disorder, discharge of a missile, intent to cause injury, recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, entry to a sporting competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.

He will return to court on February 27, 2023.

Agelopoulos can be revealed as the thug dubbed ‘Bucket Man’.

‘Bucket Man’ complains about media coverage

It comes after revelations Mr Agelopoulos is upset that he’s being “unfairly targeted” over the mayhem.

It’s understood the 23-year-old from Craigieburn has been complaining about his photos being “plastered” over news outlets and social media and being “unfairly targeted”.

And despite being front and centre of the pitch invasion, Agelopoulos has been keen to escape scrutiny this week, first changing his Facebook profile name to “Lex Lex” and later deactivating the account.

Family members refused to comment about Agelopoulos, whose attack on Glover left the keeper needing several stitches across his cheek.

And his lawyer Martin Amad threatened legal action if his case was “prejudiced”, while demanding his family should not be contacted again.

Agelopoulos’ former suburban footy team, Epping Football Netball Club, distanced itself from the youth, with a committee member saying on Monday he had not played there for more than a year.

An analysis of his Facebook activity reveals him posting a screenshot of a chat on the “Australian Ultras” about organised fights between soccer fans.

One mate says “Guys, can we arrange a fight with Frankston or yville? once we get 20 lads it’s on … No more peace treaties … Alex Aggs … their time’s up.”

Agelopoulos responds, labelling a group of South Melbourne supporters as a “crew full of snitches”.

The page also features supporters throwing tables, tossing flares and shouting abuse at each other.

A bleeding Tom Glover is escorted from the pitch during the mayhem. Picture: Getty Images

In another post, Agelopoulos complained about a rock being thrown at his vehicle in 2018.

“Whoever just threw a rock at my car in Craigieburn and shattered my window if I find out who you are may god f---ing save you,” he says.

Agelopoulos and a 19-year-old Meadow Heights man have been issued with life bans from Football Australia matches and events, including all A-League games, after the December 17 pitch invasion.

The Herald Sun last week revealed Agelopoulos had previously been banned from games and was only freed from that suspension in May last year.

He is also one of many football fans outed on a sports forum as “hooligans”, some whom are featured on social media wearing T-shirts with logos of extreme group Horda.

Agelopoulos is among three men facing prison sentences of up to 10 years if found guilty of charges relating to the AAMI Park riot.

Another man, 19, of Meadow Heights, was charged over a separate alleged assault on Glover, as well as an alleged assault on a security guard.

Agelopoulos is facing counts of violent disorder, discharging a missile, three counts of unlawful assault, invading the pitch, disrupting a match, public nuisance, riotous behaviour and the discharging and possession of a flare.

He faces counts of violent disorder, discharging a missile, three counts of unlawful assault, invading the pitch, disrupting a match, public nuisance, riotous behaviour and the discharging and possession of a flare.

An Alphington man, 18, is the third man to be charged with assault on Glover.

He faces counts of criminal damage to the venue, violent disorder, unlawful assault, entry to the arena, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.

The three men presented themselves to police stations last week and were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 27.

It comes as Football Australia confirmed on Tuesday that Glover had avoided suspension for throwing flares into a crowd of Victory fans after a referee declared the goalkeeper had not done it purposely.

Victoria Police have arrested and charged more than a dozen people after 150 spectators invaded the pitch.

Police have now identified almost 40 people from the incident and are continuing to make inquiries.