Football violence: Fights, abuse mar country, suburban football matches

A SERIES of violent outbreaks marred community football games over the weekend, reigniting safety fears for players, with off-duty police intervening during one of the ugly disputes.

A SERIES of violent incidents marred community football games over the weekend, reigniting safety fears.

Off-duty police were forced to intervene during an ugly dispute at an under-13s game between Bonbeach and Frankston YCW on Sunday.

It’s understood an umpire was abused by a spectator before he was escorted from the Bonbeach ground by police.

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A police spokeswoman said the 27-year-old man had been interviewed and was assisting police with their inquiries.

And on Saturday a Melton South football coach was sacked after getting into a brawl with a player from his own team.

The fight, captured on camera by spectators, took place at an under-18s match between Melton South and Ballarat at Melton Recreation Reserve.

The Melton South player had just been sent off the field when the incident occurred.

An AFL South East spokesman said the league had ordered reports from both clubs involved in the Bonbeach incident.

Neither club nor the league would comment further while the matter was being investigated.

The Ballarat Football League said it would probe the Melton South incident as it launched a separate investigation into a clash between spectators and players at a senior match at Darley on Saturday.

The fracas began when a spectator abused two umpires shortly after the end of the match between Darley and North Ballarat City.

Darley Football Club suspended its president, Ray Newton, over the incident, who reportedly received facial injuries.

Mr Newton showed a “lack of judgment”, according to a statement released by the club on Facebook.

“An incident after the siren saw a small fracas start between some spectators and the club president,” the statement said.

“(Mr Newton) exercised a lack of judgment when dealing with these spectators and as a result of his actions the ensuing incident may have escalated rather than be diffused.

“Newton offered the … entire club his unreserved apology for his poor handling of the situation yesterday.”

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Mr Newton was approached for comment.

The club also banned three spectators for life from all club events and games.

The Ballarat Football League vowed to thoroughly investigate both the Darley and Melton clashes.

“The BFNL will appoint investigations officers to look into all aspects of both incidents … (the league) does not condone poor or unsportsmanlike behaviour of any kind at our matches and we are committed to ensuring our clubs provide a family friendly environment,” the club said.

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