A-League pitch invasion: Referee Alex King risks own safety to help exposed goalkeeper Tom Glover
Referee Alex King, who ran to the rescue of goalkeeper Tom Glover, has been praised for prioritising Tommy Glover’s wellbeing despite putting himself in a dangerous situation.
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Heroic referee Alex King is determined to return to the field as soon as possible despite being struck on the head by pitch-invading Melbourne Victory fans on Australian football’s night of shame at AAMI Park.
Risking his own safety, King came to the rescue of Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover, who suffered a cut face after being hit by a bin-carrying Victory supporter, who was among about 150 people to storm on to the pitch after 20 minutes of the Melbourne derby.
While Glover ended up in hospital, King was able to return to his home state of Queensland on Sunday despite nursing a bruise on top of his head.
Football Australia referees’ boss Nathan Magill said King was “physically fine”.
“But obviously like most of us, a bit stunned about the behaviour of 150 people who took it upon themselves to enter the pitch,” said Magill after the pair met on Sunday before King’s flight back to Brisbane.
Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie fronted the media this morning, strongly condemning the actions that unfolded on Saturday night.
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) December 17, 2022
Full press conference > https://t.co/F2sAjMJykIpic.twitter.com/1145GcD6Gu
While referees have a duty of care towards players, Magill said people reacted differently in certain situations
“This was a really unique situation … so credit to Alex for reacting the way he did, prioritising Tommy Glover’s wellbeing despite it putting him in a difficult situation,” he said,
“For those who don’t know about Alex, he cares about people. He just went over to Tom and thought ‘let’s get out of here together.
“It’s quite brave of him to try to help someone else out.”
Magill said the incident had not deterred King — who has a FIFA badge — from refereeing.
“Kingy’s very determined to get back out there and not let what happened impact him because he’s keen to contribute to Australian football,” he said.
“The next 24-48 hours is really critical in terms of how he feels, then we’ll continue to monitor him.”
Magill said the assault of King would affect refereeing numbers.
“It’s not a great look for the game. It impacts everyone, including our recruitment drive — that’s for sure,” he said.
‘Severe laceration’: City provide update after keeper trauma
Melbourne City have confirmed that goalkeeper Tom Glover has been discharged from hospital after suffering a concussion and injuries during a violent pitch invasion.
Glover was helped from the AAMI Park pitch after more than 150 fans stormed on in anger, seemingly after the stopper threw a flare in their direction.
In abhorrent scenes, Glover, a referee and camera operator were injured.
“Following last night’s pitch invasion during the Melbourne Derby, we can provide the following update on the condition of Tom Glover after receiving the formal medical report this morning.
“Tom suffered a concussion and severe lacerations to the face
“He was taken to the Epworth Hospital for further checks and was cleared of any further trauma, returning home in the early hours of this morning.
“He’ll stay home today and will then be managed by the club in his return to training based on concussion protocols.
Following last night's pitch invasion during the Melbourne Derby, we can provide the following update on the condition of Tom Glover after receiving the formal medical report this morning.
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) December 17, 2022
Tom suffered a concussion and severe lacerations to the face. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/UVGgVx3oLn
VICTORY, FA BREAK SILENCE ON DERBY HOOLIGANS
Marco Monteverde
Football Australia boss James Johnson has vowed that Melbourne Victory fans responsible for one of the most shameful nights in the history of Australian football will be severely dealt with.
Saturday night’s Melbourne derby at AAMI Park was abandoned for safety reasons after Melbourne City goalkeeper Thomas Glover and referee Alex King were both assaulted by Victory fans who invaded the pitch after 20 minutes.
What was originally planned to be a walkout by active supporter groups from both the Victory and City in protest to the decision to sell the A-League grand final to Sydney turned nasty and dangerous when Victory fans let off flares behind the City goal and threw them onto the field.
Glover seemed to throw one of the flares back towards the Victory fans. Seconds later, Victory fans stormed the pitch, with one hitting Glover in the face with a bin.
Glover was rushed off the field with a cut face, while referee King was also hit in the face.
Play did not resume, with King calling off the match less than half an hour later after consulting with FA officials.
FA chief executive officer Johnson said an investigation into the matter would be opened and that the culprits would be harshly dealt with.
Lifetime bans are likely for some Victory supporters.
“It was disgusting behaviour and disgraceful scenes,” an angry and disappointed Johnson told News Corp Australia.
“A full investigation will take place and those responsible will face the harshest of punishments.”
FA later issued a statement, saying the match was abandoned “in accordance with Law 5.3 of the Laws of the Game in order to protect the integrity of the match.”
“Such behaviour has no place in Australian football, with a full Football Australia investigation to commence immediately, where strong sanctions (will) be handed down,” the statement said.
Melbourne Victory has condemned fans of the club that invaded the pitch in Saturday night’s Melbourne derby and assaulted Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover, referee Alex King and a cameraman.
In a statement posted a few hours after the abandonment of the match for safety reasons, the Victory said it was “devastated” and apologised to Glover, King and the cameraman.
“The club unequivocally condemns the actions of fans at Saturday night’s match against Melbourne City at AAMI Park,” the Victory statement said.
“The actions that occurred, that saw spectators enter the pitch and injure a Melbourne City FC player, an official and a Network Ten cameraman, are not acceptable under any circumstance and have no place in football.
“The security and welfare of everyone involved in a football match is paramount and the club will not accept this behaviour.
“The club would like to formally apologise to Tom Glover, match official Alex King and the camera operator as well as all players, officials and those who witnessed the appalling behaviour.
“Melbourne Victory would like to reiterate there is no place in football for what was witnessed tonight”
The Victory said the conduct would not be “tolerated”, and that the club, AAMI Park officials and Victoria Police would undertake a full investigation into the incident.
Players’ union Professional Football Australia have called for the “strongest possible sanctions” to be slapped on the Melbourne Victory fans responsible for assaulting Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover, referee Alex King and a member of the broadcast staff.
“The PFA has met with the players involved in tonight’s match and will continue to ensure they are provided with the full support and resources of the PFA,” a PFA statement said.
“We acknowledge the courage of players, club staff and referees who came to the aid of each other in circumstances that no one should ever be exposed to.”
Socceroos great Robbie Slater was unsure how Australian football would recover from its night of shame.
“This was supposed to be a time when we were celebrating the wonderful achievements of our Socceroos at the World Cup, and now this has happened,” a saddened Slater said.
“I don’t know how we recover from this. How did it come to this? This could be the start of a slow death for the game.
The club respectfully notes the statements of the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Football Australia (FA).
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) December 17, 2022
The club will make a further statement in due course.
APL Statement: https://t.co/9Z7z3EhoB6
FA Statement: https://t.co/CAFaF9rRu2pic.twitter.com/qEwVb464WK
“There should have just been a walkout, not an invasion of the pitch, the flares and the assaults.”
While not condoning the incident, Slater said the situation could have been avoided had the Australian Professional Leagues board not made the decision to sell A-League grand finals to Sydney for the next three years.
“There’s no excuse for what the fans have done there, but this would never have arisen if what happened during the week with the grand finals hadn’t have happened,” Slater said.
“The APL can’t take the blame for idiots invading the pitch but they only invaded the pitch because of the current (grand final) situation, which needs to be investigated.
“The lack of transparency and consultation in their decision has led to this.”
Socceroos’ World Cup hero Craig Goodwin has described the violence that forced the abandonment of the Melbourne derby as “heartbreaking”.
Extremely disappointing. Regardless of what has happened, this is not the way to respond and only gives the game a bad look.
— Craig Goodwin (@craig_goodwin11) December 17, 2022
Goodwin had been one of the prominent voices opposed to the Australian Professional Leagues board decision to sell the A-League grand final to Sydney for the next three years.
Walkouts during matches this weekend had been planned by clubs’ active supporters groups in protest to the decision.
However, on a night of shame for Australian football, Melbourne Victory fans threw flares and invaded the pitch at AAMI Park, with Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover and referee Alex King assaulted.
“Extremely disappointing. Regardless of what has happened, this is not the way to respond and only gives the game a bad look.,” Goodwin tweeted.
“What’s most frustrating is that this is a time where the football community has to stick together and it’s heartbreaking to see what’s just happened.”
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