Goalkeeper gets hit in the face with metal bin as Melbourne derby gets abandoned as fans rush the pitch – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Goalkeeper gets hit in the face with metal bin as Melbourne derby gets abandoned as fans rush the pitch




An Australian football match was abandoned after fans stormed the pitch and a goalkeeper was hit in the face with a metal bucket.

Trouble began in the 20th minute of Saturday’s Melbourne derby when the referee stopped play after flares were fired onto the pitch.

The social media video appears to show Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover tossing one of the flares into a stand of rival Melbourne Victory fans behind him.

Within seconds, they burst over the barrier and charge at him, unable to prevent security from being hit by a metal canister filled with white powder.

The video shows City players and reserves running to protect the goalkeeper while referee Alex King also hastily retires.

Former Manchester United player Nani was among the players forced off and looked stunned as he watched the scrum.

Goalkeeper Glover was later photographed receiving medical treatment in the dressing room and the club tweeted that he was likely to have a concussion.

The Australian Professional League said in a statement that the referee was also injured but did not elaborate.

Football Australia, the game’s governing body, said the scenes at AAMI Park were “shocking” and warned of punishment.

It added: “Such behaviour has no place in Australian Football, with a full Football Australia investigation to commence immediately, where strong sanctions will be handed down,” reports Sky.

Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.

Share this story

Tell us what you think on our Facebook page