Rival footy fans brawl at Marvel Stadium amid AFL’s fan behaviour controversy

An ugly brawl has marred a nailbiting match at Marvel Stadium, with beer thrown and violence breaking out among rival footy supporters. It comes amid growing controversy over fan behaviour, prompting an increase in security scrutiny. SEE THE PICTURES

Officers were forced to intervene when a scuffle broke out. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Violence broke out among rival footy supporters last night as tension flared in the stands amid controversy over fan behaviour.

Several people were involved in the ugly clash following the Carlton-Western Bulldogs match after emotions ran high in the second half.

Police intervened as supporters clashed after the final siren, with punches thrown and beer poured down from a level above.

Women and children were among those caught up in the fracas.

“It was a bit of an argy-bargy,” one said. “It was very unpleasant.”

The Sunday Herald Sun understands at least one man was hit on his chin during the incident.

Police were last night taking statements from people in the crowd.

One eyewitness said the fight started after a Bulldogs supporter “mouthed off” after the win, upsetting a nearby Carlton supporter.

A police officers tries to defuse the tension. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Some fans looked on as police stepped in. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Bulldogs officials and fans after the match.

A Bulldogs official appeared to be locked in a verbal exchange with a supporter near the bench shortly after the end of the game, another witness said.

Video footage of the brawl showed a group of men attempting to restrain another fan with the help of police.

“Police responded to a number of people pushing each other in the vicinity of aisle 12 at Docklands Stadium about 10.20 pm,” Victoria Police spokesman Adam West said.

“Police separated a number of people and obtained their details.

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A witness said the incident was “unpleasant”. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Police intervened in a fight at Marvel Stadium while some fans looked on and others scrambled to get away. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Police are still investigating and police are yet to identify all involved.”

The clash followed days of heightened tension between the AFL and fans, who have grown angry about supporters being ejected from games.

Security guards consistently roamed the aisles last night, their fluorescent orange vests a reminder that supporters were under scrutiny.

At least two fans were escorted away during the match and the behaviour of several supporters resulted in visits from security after a hotline to report anti-social behaviour was phoned.

Most incidents were not deemed worthy of ejection.

One fan told the Sunday Herald Sun he felt like the crowd was on edge.

“People are a bit quick to call the behaviour hotline,” he said.

Increased scrutiny did little to deter frustrated Carlton supporters, who yelled abuse at the umpires as the game heated up.

“Bald-headed flog” was the phrase often used — a term popularised after the ejection of Carlton fan “Frankie” last week.

A Carlton fan with tape over their mouth after a fellow supporter was last week ejected from the stadium for sledging an umpire.

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A Carlton fan evicted after calling an umpire a “baldheaded flog” vowed he wouldn’t be bullied as he returned to the football amid a new controversy about crowd behaviour.

Footy fan Frankie, booted out of Marvel Stadium last weekend, was back last night to watch the Blues take on the Western Bulldogs.

It came as an image emerged of two “behavioural awareness” officers patrolling the stadium on Friday.

The image of the officers among the crowd as Essendon played Hawthorn — complete with the number to report anti-social behaviour — sparked fury.

The passionate Carlton fan’s lawyers are seeking a formal apology from the AFL. Picture: Michael Klein

Behavioural Awareness Officers at Marvel Stadium last night. Picture: Twitter

Frankie last night told the Sunday Herald Sun he wouldn’t be stood over by the AFL.

“I’m passionate about footy, I’m passionate about Carlton, I’m not going to let the AFL win when I haven’t done anything wrong,” he said.

“I’ve been going for 27 years to support my club. I’m not going to stop now.”

The image of behavioural awareness officers seemingly roaming among the crowd as Essendon played Hawthorn — complete with the number to report anti-social behaviour — sparked fury.

“Forty years in the game and played, coached and spectated at some inhospitable (wonderful) rival grounds,’’ former Essendon player and Fitzroy and Adelaide coach Robert Shaw posted online.

“This is a first for me. Have we really got to this? So sad if we have.”

State Sports Minister Martin Pakula meanwhile encouraged the AFL to let fans “barrack as parochially and as passionately as they want to” amid a crackdown on crowd behaviour.

Mr Pakula, regularly at Carlton games with his son, said supporters should be allowed to barrack as loudly as they liked, as long as “they don’t cross the line into vilification, violence or undue aggression”.

“It’s what creates the atmosphere that we love. From all of my discussions, I’m pretty sure that’s also the AFL’s view,” he said.

“99 per cent of the time, common sense prevails. Support your team, remember that there are limits, and if fans around you ask you to tone it down a bit because there are kids present, or because you’re going a little over the top, respect that.”

Frankie’s lawyers plan to write to the AFL seeking a formal apology.

Eleven patrons were ejected from the Queen’s Birthday match. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

“It’s about correcting the record that he did not run across two bays of seats waving his arms in an intimidating and violent nature which caused the umpire to feel intimidated,” friend and businessman Romeo D’Amato said, disputing comments made by AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.

Frankie said: “I’m looking forward to it all blowing over and getting back to a normal life.”

The Sunday Herald Sun understands two supporters out of every 10,000 who attend AFL games are kicked out.

Monday’s Queen’s Birthday blockbuster between Melbourne and Collingwood was attended by more than 74,000 people, with 11 patrons ejected by police.

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Three were charged with assault — including two who assaulted police officers — while others were booted for possessing alcohol they had smuggled in, drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.

Victoria Police Commander Tim Hansen said: “Let’s not lose sight of the fact that tens of thousands of Victorians attend football matches every week and the overwhelming majority enjoy the atmosphere safely and responsibly.”