AAMI Park security scrutinised after A-League soccer match pitch invasion

A failure by AAMI park security guards to thoroughly search soccer fans before hooligans stormed the pitch has been detailed in a damning Victoria Police report.

AAMI Park security guards failed to properly search soccer fans ahead of a violent pitch invasion, despite an earlier warning from Victoria Police it was “highly-likely” flares would be smuggled into the stadium.

Internal police documents obtained by the Herald Sun reveal Melbourne Victory fans snuck hundreds of the prohibited explosives to the December 17 match last year as a result of “less than thorough wanding” by stadium security as well as bags not being checked.

Around 150 supporters went on to storm the pitch with many lighting flares, while others threw bottles, stadium chairs and metal buckets during the Round 8 A-League match.

Victoria Police billed Melbourne and Olympic Parks Management almost $20,000 for their services that night.

The violence erupted after Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover threw a flare back into the stands.

Melbourne City’s Tom Glover picks up a flare to remove it from the pitch. Picture: Darrian Traynor

A pre-game Victoria Police intelligence report stated it was “highly likely some individuals from Victory will engage in anti-social behaviour”.

“It is highly likely equipment such as flares and smoke emitters will be snuck into the game,” it said.

“Flares are commonly used by fans who manage to smuggle them through entry points to the stadium despite searching their person, instead of in bags.

“They may be placed in pants, socks, or concealed on children to increase their chance of evasion from security.”

Despite this, AAMI security guards did not perform thorough checks on patrons entering the stadium.

Victoria Police said in a post-event report: “Swarming of entry gates by active supporter groups resulted in less than thorough wanding that occurred and often bum bags not wanded or checked.”

Investigators arrested and charged 38 people, with the majority of offenders handing themselves in after their images were released to the media.

Victory fans were unruly in the lead up to the event, with a group of around 100 causing trouble at the Cricketers Arms beer garden in the CBD about 6.15pm.

Police were forced to retreat shortly after arriving for fear of clashing with the group.

“Supporters were extremely vocal, yelling abuse and hostile toward police,” the post-event report said.

Victoria Police on the pitch after fans stormed the ground during the Round 8 A-League at AAMI Park. Picture: Darrian Traynor

“Police (were) unable to complete premises check and had to withdraw from venue.”

Smashed glass was found along King Street before fans made their way to the pitch.

When reviewing their response to the incident, Victoria Police said their pre-game intelligence was “limited to social media posts and intel coming from club sources”.

An intelligence summary reveals how the force prepares its officers to police soccer games.

“Soccer fan culture is totally different to AFL or cricket supporter behaviour,” it states.

“They tend to have a “touch one – touch all” mentality. (They will engage in) standing, jumping, chants, celebrations and generally acting in unison.”

A spokesperson for Victoria Police said offices were adequately resourced for the event and the role of police was to “assist in managing public order in the lead up to, during and post the match”.

“Preventing entry to the stadium surface is a matter for stadium security, with police providing assistance when requiredwhich was highlighted on the day with PORT responding on the field to assist in removing patrons from the area.” a spokesperson said.

“Police will always do everything we can in the lead up to major events to prevent risks and to keep the community safe, butit is important to stress that patrons need to take responsibility for their own actions.

“Police will have no hesitation in holding people accountable for anti-social and criminal behaviour.”

Melbourne & Olympic Parks spokesperson said it “took its responsibility to ensure a safe environment at AAMI Park seriously” and had implemented a range of enhanced security measures at the venue since the December match.

“These include restrictions on ticketing throughout the 2022-23 A-League season, including the closure of active supporterbays, an enhanced security response to flares, and additional staff briefings.”