Police probe brawl at local football match - weeks after club was involved in another incident
Police have launched an investigation into a violent altercation at a football match in Sydney’s southwest, involving a club which was embroiled in a brawl last month. See the video.
NSW
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Police have launched an investigation into a brawl at a local football match in Sydney’s southwest, which saw spectators rush the field and came just weeks after one of the clubs was involved in a separate incident.
Officers were called to Gardiner Park in Banksia about 4:45pm on Saturday, following reports a fight had broken out in the crowd at an adult soccer game between the Banksia Tigers and Scots Lions FC.
The “poor behaviour” has been slammed by Sports Minister Steve Kamper who said the government had a “zero tolerance” stance for such incidents.
Police were told that two groups were directing heckles at each other, before the incident escalated, when a group of spectators moved onto the field challenging another group.
Bystanders tried to separate the groups, but were unsuccessful – leading to the referee to make the call of abandoning the game.
During the melee, a 20-year-old man was reportedly injured, but he did not require any medical assistance.
The majority of the crowd had dispersed when police arrived, with two men issued with move-on directions.
Mr Kamper said community sport should be a welcome environment and not be a place of violence.
“Community sport should be a place where everyone feels safe and the NSW Government has zero tolerance for violence or poor behaviour at community sport,” Minister Kamper said.
“This behaviour is against the law and violent or anti-social incidents are dealt with by the NSW Police using the full force of the law.”
Police have spoken to officials at both clubs, and are appealing for any information about the incident. Last month, the Banksia Tigers were involved in a separate brawl which involved up to 40 players and spectators at Gannons Park in Peakhurst, where a 20-year-old man was charged with affray.
Footage obtained by the Daily Telegraph shows the players leaving the field into the crowd with hundreds of spectators seen trying to avoid the pushing and shoving, as officials and police rushed in to calm the tensions.
Police have laid no charges over Saturday’s incident and are appealing for anyone with information about it to come forward.
Originally published as Police probe brawl at local football match - weeks after club was involved in another incident
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