Fan charged after allegedly throwing bottle at goal umpire’s head

A Northcote man has been charged after allegedly throwing a bottle of water at a goal umpire’s head during Sunday’s match at Marvel Stadium.

A fan has been charged after a goal umpire was struck in the head with a water bottle during the Carlton vs. St Kilda game at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Police confirmed that a 23-year-old Northcote man, who attended a police station by appointment early Tuesday morning, had been charged with recklessly cause injury, discharge a missile and unlawful assault.

The Blues fan was seen hurriedly leaving the area after allegedly throwing the water bottle, with fellow Carlton fans stating the man was not a member of the club’s cheer squad.

Goal umpire Steven Piperno could be seen getting treatment from medical staff following the incident which drew blood midway through the second quarter.

Goal umpire Steven Piperno was struck in the head with a water bottle during Sunday’s match.

The incident has drawn the ire of many AFL figures with Jack Riewoldt labelling it an “coward’s act,” Garry Lyon describing the incident as “borderline assault” and commentator Bryan Taylor calling it an “absolute disgrace”.

Carlton coach Michael Voss said he was disappointed with the behaviour of his team’s fans following the game.

“That is not what it’s about,” he said.

“We spend a lot of time around trying to inspire and bring joy at our football club and we want to create that real safe environment and I reckon we do that really well and we will continue to reinforce that.

“When you hear instances like that, it’s something for the AFL to follow up pretty strongly and I know our club will. I have only heard about it but I am sure we will follow that up pretty strongly as we should be.”

The man has been bailed to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 1.