Soccer hooligans reveal guilty pleas over ugly AAMI Park pitch invasion

Pitch invaders charged over the violent AAMI Park fracas revealed they have no plans to try clear their names – but where does Bucket Man stand?

Six soccer hooligans charged over the violent AAMI Park pitch invasion have faced court, with several of them revealing they will be pleading guilty.

Melbourne Victory fans Ricardo Di Marco, Peter Kostopoulos, Jake White, Megan Collins, Shane Marino and Vincent Marinucca fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, two months on from the derby match which descended into chaos.

Mr White and Ms Collins, who both stormed the pitch, told Magistrate Rohan Lawrence they intended to plead guilty to their charges, which include public nuisance.

They will have discussions with the prosecution to determine which alternative charge will proceed to a plea hearing.

Fans storm the pitch in protest during the round eight A-League Men's match. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Marino, another pitch invader, will also plead guilty after his defence lawyer and the prosecution reached an agreement on a charge.

Mr Kostopoulos, one of the men accused of unlawfully assaulting Melbourne City goalkeeper Thomas Glover, applied for a sentencing indication if he was to plead guilty to his charges.

Mr White and Mr Marino will be sentenced on May 17 by the same magistrate after footage of the pitch invasion is played to the court, while Mr Marinucca and Ms Collins will return to court on March 30.

An accused A-league pitch invader who pleaded guilty leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

Other pitch invaders, who are yet to front court, are expected to also be sentenced on May 17.

But a defence lawyer for Mr Di Marco, who has been accused of throwing a lit flare, said his client wanted to proceed to a contest mention as they have failed to reach an agreement with the prosecution.

He will return to court on June 20.

Alex Agelopoulos, dubbed Bucket Man, was due to face court on Monday but has his case administratively adjourned. Picture: supplied

Alex Agelopoulos – dubbed Bucket Man – and Muhammed Varsan, who are also accused of assaulting Glover, were due to face court on Monday but had their cases administratively adjourned.

Mr Agelopoulos, 23, from Northcote, became the face of the mayhem when vision was released of him allegedly smashing Glover in the face with a metal bucket.

He is charged with eight offences including intentionally causing injury, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, disrupt a match and enter a sporting competition space.

A bleeding Tom Glover of Melbourne City is escorted from the pitch by teammates. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Varsan, 19, from Meadow Heights, is also facing charges including behaving in a riotous manner and two counts of assault over alleged attacks on Glover and a security guard.

Enver Malkic, who the Herald Sun revealed is a kids community soccer club coach, also had his case administratively adjourned.

Club sources say Mr Malkic, who is also accused of storming the pitch, has been in the presidency role for the past two years and is “heavily involved” with Melbourne’s soccer community.