The Melbourne Derby was abandoned after shocking scenes on Saturday night when fans invaded the pitch and attacked the Melbourne City goalkeeper at AAMI Park.
Furious with the A-League’s decision to send the next three grand finals to Sydney, fans were planning to stage a mass walkout on the 20th minute to vent their discontent with the decision.
However, tempers boiled over and by the 21st minute, supporters encroached the pitch and City goalkeeper Thomas Glover was attacked, with a bin smashed into his face.
The 24-year-old was left bloodied and the game was suspended, before later being abandoned.
City confirmed that Glover suffered what is believed to be concussion and was treated in the dressing room. Footage has since emerged of fans running out of the goal immediately after Glover threw the torch back into the crowd.
Since the inception of the A-League in 2005, clubs have had to earn the right to host the Grand Final based on their performance in the final series. NSW’s decision is against A-League tradition.
Football Australia released a statement shortly after the game was suspended, condemning the “usscenes during the men’s A-League match between Melbourne Victory FC and Melbourne City FC at AAMI Park on Saturday 17 December, where Melbourne Victory FC fans entered the pitch, Football Australia referees suspended the game. game violation according to Law 5.3 to protect the integrity of the match.
“This type of behavior has no place in Australian football and a full investigation by Football Australia must be launched immediately, with strong sanctions.”
