Melbourne Victory fan group vows to return after pitch invasion chaos

Police have turned in force at AAMI Park for the return of the Melbourne Victory fan group whose members were blamed for the violent pitch invasion.

Police have turned in force at AAMI Park for the return of the Melbourne Victory fan group whose members were blamed for the violent pitch invasion.

Police officers joined the fan active support’s march from the Crafty Squire on Russell St to AAMI Park, alongside Sydney’s own security guards.

About 100 Sydney fans were yelling loud and profane anti-Melbourne chants.

Police recorded everyone upon arrival at the gates of the stadium.

Police outside AAMI park for the Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC soccer game. Picture: David Geraghty

The fan group, Original Style Melbourne (OSM), has returned to the staduim for the first time since the shameful pitch invasion on December 17.

During the mayhem, Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover was smashed in the face with a metal bucket of sand.

Bans were slapped on 17 fans as a result of the unrest, including three for life.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said there would be a “highly visible presence” at the match.

“Police will be there to ensure everyone enjoys the match safely and with respect for others, as we would at any major event with significant numbers of people in attendance,” the spokesperson said.

Tom Glover is escorted from the pitch after fans stormed the pitch at AAMI Park. Picture: Getty Images

OSM released a statement on its social media pages confirming their attendance to the match against Sydney, warning people to “not give into provocations” given the “stakes have never been higher”.

“Police will be out in force looking to target fans, and justify further restrictions on our right to watch football, and support our club,” the statement said.

“We’ve seen this all before, and we must not play into their hands and give them the excuse they want.

“Just like in years gone by, our presence remains a constant despite results on the pitch, and restrictions in the stands.”

Chaos in the stands during the game. Picture: Getty Images

The group have elected to forgo a march and pre-game pub session, instead focusing efforts on congregating together at the match to strategise buying tickets in a specific corner of AAMI Park.

The northern end – the unofficial home of OSM at the stadium – has been blocked from sales for the remainder of the season as part of the sanction from Football Australia, leading OSM to encourage fans to buy seats in a different bay.

OSM has acted despite the commitment from Melbourne Victory in December 2022 to oversee the “disbandment of any A-League Men’s active supporter groups that were recognised at the time”.

Melbourne Victory was fined $550,000 for the incident as well as a 10-point deduction until the end of 2025.