Video from St Kilda-Brisbane match at Marvel Stadium shows fan spitting on the crowd

Just days after the issue of fan behaviour and security at football matches raged, a video has emerged showing a fan appearing to spit on patrons from the top level of Marvel Stadium. WATCH

A video showing footy fans spitting from the upper level of Marvel Stadium downwards towards fellow fans has again thrust the issue of crowd behaviour into the limelight.

Just days after AFL boss Gillon McLachlan faced the media and told footy fans they would relax security patrolling on match days, a video has revealed two male spectators appearing to joke before one spits onto fans below them.

The pair then quickly retreat from the front row of Level 3 towards the exit.

It’s believed the vision was taken during Saturday’s St Kilda v Brisbane match.

@marvelstadiumau @brisbanelions @AFL_House @rohan_connolly @stkildafc Nice fans spitting onto level 2. pic.twitter.com/M5MScq8dVl

— proudsainter (@No1saintBrett) June 22, 2019

The AFL said today Marvel Stadium was investigating the circumstances of the spitting episode.

It said the act happened at the conclusion of the game, which explained the lack of security guards around them at the time.

A stadium spokesperson said: “We were made aware of the incident which occurred at the end of the game and are currently looking into it.”

There was a clear change in policy at Marvel Stadium’s Collingwood-Western Bulldogs game, with security fans not patrolling aisles as they had in recent weeks.

At the game it was clear there were as many security guards, but they remained back in the stadium concourses rather than its aisles.

FAN UNEASE

Last week McLachlan said the active patrolling of behavioural awareness officers would be scaled back after a revolt from the public amid calls some patrons had felt “uncomfortable” at games during Round 13.

The fresh video of the men spitting at fans could again spark debate as around the level and number of officials at matches.

The video comes just days after the AFL was forced to address fans unease with increased security at venues.

AFL chief McLachlan was contrite last week, promising that the league would listen to fan concerns, but would not accept responsibility for the problem.

Increased security has been seen at AFL venues

He said his personal preference is that the much-maligned ‘Behavioural Awareness Officer’ vests that have started appearing at venues do not continue.

McLachlan held a media conference last week in the wake of a widespread supporter backlash about the environment at AFL venues.

Fans have complained that they have felt intimidated by increased security. McLachlan said the league is listening to those concerns, but added they are trying to strike a balance between fan enjoyment and fan safety.

Fans spitting at Marvel Stadium.

The added security this season follows a number of crowd brawls, most recently during Saturday night’s Carlton-Western Bulldogs match at Marvel Stadium.

“There has been no edict, no discussions — I have not had one discussion about cracking down on fan behaviour,” McLachlan said.

“The venues make their own decisions about policing.” McLachlan said he also met with Victoria Police on Tuesday about fan safety at venues.

“I want to be clear about this — our philosophy on this has not changed,” he said.

“No-one at the AFL is trying to stop our crowd being passionate, our fans barracking — no-one.

“It is devastating to think that our fans believe that something has changed, that is trying to limit their enjoyment at the footy.

“I won’t apologise for making footy a safe place, but we need to ensure we get the balance right.”