A-League pitch invader convicted after ‘three and a half minutes of utter madness and stupidity’

A young soccer fan who stormed AAMI Park was seen ripping the goal net and stomping on chairs in what he described as a case of “monkey see, monkey do”.

About 150 spectators from the northern stand stormed the pitch in December last year. Picture: Getty

A young musician hoping to travel the world with his band is one of two AAMI Park pitch invaders who have been slapped with convictions for their “completely illogical” behaviour.

Rottanak Kim, 23, and Antares Koskos, 22, joined more than 100 fans who stormed the pitch at the derby match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory on December 17 last year.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday heard Kim, an aspiring young guitarist, was captured on CCTV joining the “first wave” of attendees to flood the pitch after Melbourne City goalie Thomas Glover threw a flare back into the grandstand.

Kim then – alongside other offenders – pushed over a series of electronic panels and kicked them, causing almost $210,000 worth of damage.

Melbourne City goalie Tom Glover was escorted away after fans stormed the pitch. Picture: Getty

In his police interview, he said he was “caught up in the moment” and kicked the screens “out of anger” but conceded that it was “not a good thing”.

His defence lawyer pleaded with Magistrate Rosemary Falla not to hand his client a conviction, saying it could impact his music career and plans to travel with his band.

But while the magistrate accepted Kim was remorseful and that his offending was at “complete odds” with his glowing character references, she labelled his offending “incredibly serious”.

“I accept that you are apologetic and a very caring person,” she said.

“But you’ve had complete and utter disregard for the workplace of the people you say you support.”

Pitch invader Rottanak Kim said in his police interview he was ‘caught up in the moment’. Picture: Getty

“The moment people started entering the pitch should have been a wake up call to you.”

She handed him a conviction, a $2000 fine and a three year ban from AAMI Stadium.

CCTV footage also captured Koskos, a school dropout, running onto the pitch, raising both middle fingers to the sky as he jumped over the barrier.

The court heard the soccer fan’s actions ignited “a wave of people that followed” before he charged through a security guard.

Koskos was then spotted “ripping” the soccer goal net before returning to the grandstand where he “bounced” and “stomped” on three chairs, breaking off pieces and throwing them towards the pitch.

His lawyer Anthony Stewart told the court his client “got caught up in the atmosphere”.

“It was three and a half minutes of utter madness and stupidity on his behalf,” he said.

“He in fact told me when I asked what had happened … that it was a matter of monkey see, monkey do.”

But Ms Falla said Koskos’ actions were “completely illogical, completely unlawful and completely at odds with a person who was said to love the game”.

“A game of which you admire the skill of these athletes and yet you show complete contempt and disregard and disrespect for their significant achievements”.

She slapped Koskos an $800 fine and a three year ban from AAMI Stadium, as well as a conviction.

A third pitch invader, an apprentice tradie, escaped a conviction and was given a good behaviour bond and directed to make a $500 donation to the court fund.

He was also banned from AAMI Park for one year.

Ms Falla has previously handed thousands of dollars worth of fines and multiple good behaviour bonds to more than a dozen AAMI Park pitch invaders.

Up to 150 spectators from the northern stand stormed the pitch just after 8pm on December 17, throwing bottles, flares, stadium chairs and metal buckets, after Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover threw a flare back into the stands.

Victoria Police arrested and charged 38 people, with the majority of offenders handing themselves into police after their images were released to the media.