All the reactions from the drama at Saturday’s derby

Melbourne Victory’s managing director Caroline Carnegie has revealed the financial repercussions could be disastrous as the club awaits penalties for the violent pitch invasion.

Melbourne Victory has revealed it doesn’t know what penalties the club is facing but would be willing to work with Football Australia and police.

When asked about the financial cost to club, Melbourne Victory’s managing director Caroline Carnegie said the club would await what penalties were deemed appropriate and necessary for the pitch invasion at the Melbourne derby.

“All of those things are possibilities and ultimately, financially it’s devastating for us if we don’t get our fans into a stadium or we don’t have our fans doing what they do best,” Carnegie said.

No arrests have been made but investigations by the club and Victoria Police are unfolding, with images of eight men released on Sunday night.

Ms Carnegie said Victory fans who stormed the pitch and encircled injured Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover should receive more than a lifetime ban as punishment.

Fans set off flares as things descend into chaos at the Melbourne derby. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“I understand that the way it works is that people who are deemed our supporters there’s a level of responsibility, but a true supporter of Melbourne Victory wouldn’t have done what they did last night, all they’ve done is hurt the club and hurt the league,” she said.

Carnegie described her reaction to the chaotic Melbourne A-League derby as “heartbreaking”.

“It was absolutely terrible, it was not something I wanted to see, and it was not something I want to see ever again,” Carnegie said.

Carnegie said Victory fans who stormed the pitch and encircled injured Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover should receive more than a lifetime ban as punishment.

“We will be trying to get the people who did the wrong thing out of the game.”

Carnegie said Glover’s provocative decision to cannonball two flares back onto Victory fans was “a bit silly” but said the intruders were to blame for the injuries that ensued upon Glover and referee Alex King.

Unruly Victory supporters before the pitch invasion. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Glover was concussed and received a severe laceration from a fan who hurled a metal bucket.

He received stitches in hospital.

King also suffered a cut to his head.

“The biggest issue that we have is jumping on the pitch,” Ms Carnegie said.

The club admits that security was underprepared for the anarchic events on the pitch last night, as they expected a walkout at the 20-minute mark — where security was stationed.

“We had no reason to believe that there would be anything different that occurred,” Ms Carnegie said.

“We are devastated that something different did occur.”

The situation has led the club to admit that more needs to be done in the future to control reactive crowds.

“We’ve come to a point in time where what we’ve been doing probably hasn’t been successful.”

BAN THEM FOR LIFE: STARS AND POLITICIANS REACT TO DERBY CHAOS

– Liam Healy

Craig Foster has slammed the “idiots” who assaulted Melbourne City goalkeeper Thomas Glover at last night’s Melbourne derby at AAMI Park, forcing the game to be abandoned.

Foster, a former Socceroo and one of the pre-eminent voices on Australian football spoke on Channel 9’s Weekend Today and condemned the actions of the Victory fans who stormed the field at the 20th minute of the game and that their actions had ruined what had been a month of progress for the sport in Australia thanks to the Socceroos’ efforts at the FIFA World Cup.

“I was absolutely appalled.

“My first reflection was what an incredible month it’s been for the game and this is exactly what football doesn’t need. These people have brought the whole game into disrepute and rightly, we’re talking millions of Australians, have condemned these actions.”

Victory fans threw flares onto the field, in a planned protest over the APL’s decision to play the next three A-League Grand Finals in NSW, before madness descended onto the field.

Glover was left bleeding from the face after being struck by a bucket as the Victory fans stormed onto the field with referee Alex King also being struck by fans, Foster saying the fans had brought the game into disrepute by their actions.

“I hope Thomas is OK, I haven’t spoken to him yet, but to see him assaulted and people bringing this game into disrepute is disgusting,” he said.

City goalkeeper Tom Glover is assaulted with a bin as fans invade the pitch. Picture: Twitter

Optimism surrounding the sport in Australia was at highs not seen since the 2006 World Cup efforts, however a week of turmoil has potentially thrown all that work away.

“We saw hundreds of thousands of people come out and cheer for the Socceroos and stand at the live sites and just have the most extraordinary month and all come together, all Australians across all of our beautiful diversity.

“Being passionate is respecting the game and upholding the rules around it, respecting your fellow spectators and of course the players, all the rest. This is exactly what we don’t want here.”

Tom Glover of Melbourne City picks up a flare to remove it from the pitch. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Foster called on all fans of the sport to come together to condemn last night’s actions, and show a sense of duty to the game.

“But if … as someone who supports a club, whether Victory or others, you support that club is fine but above that you also have a duty to the game.

“To protect the game and conduct themselves in the game and conduct themselves in the right manner.”

Melbourne Victory last night released a statement condemning the actions of their fans at the game.

“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.”

Former Socceroos Mark Schwarzer and Robbie Slater both reacted to the incident on Twitter, with former Aussie shot-stopper calling for the fans involved to be banned for life.

What is wrong with people? It happens time & time again. We take a step forward & then 10 steps backwards, in this case 100 backwards… minority of idiots cause untold damage to our sport far to often.. name, shame, prosecute and ban for life those involved. #ALeagues#MCYvMVChttps://t.co/OlwvTNazxA

— Mark Schwarzer (@schwarzer_mark) December 17, 2022

I can’t believe what has happened! Not the way to protest! Very sad that it has come to this! #melbderby why why why? #APL

— Robbie Slater (@RobbieSlater17) December 17, 2022

Former SBS host Lucy Zelic also condemned the actions of the individuals involved, labelling it “heinous.”

Let’s be clear on something: PEOPLE chose to commit these heinous acts. PEOPLE attacked and injured a player, official and cameraman. PEOPLE used the game to enact violence. The players didn’t. Our League didn’t. Football didn’t. Condemn these PEOPLE but do not crucify the sport.

— Lucy Zelić (@LucyZelic) December 17, 2022

Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney has called the AAMI Park brawl “absolutely disgraceful” but confirmed the government would not support a pause to the season.

“We absolutely oppose any abuse of umpires or players, this is a workplace for many and it is absolutely unacceptable what happened,” she said on Sunday morning.

Ms Tierney was unable to provide an explanation as to how fans were able to bring flares into the stadium, but said authorities were working with clubs to “ensure that we do have safe sporting environments”.

While Ms Tierney said sanctions and life bans against the fans involved would be a matter left to police, she strongly rejected a government-backed pause to the season.

“We understand that many thousands of Victorians absolutely love their soccer and we are not going to allow those that are a minority that undertook bad behaviour spoil it for Victorians,” she said.