Former Socceroos goalkeeper Danny Vukovic has slammed the pitch invasion during the A-League’s Melbourne Derby on Saturday evening, calling it the “darkest day in football in Australia”.
“Our game is in tatters. An absolute disgrace what happened tonight,” Vukovic wrote on Twitter.
“Cannot believe we are here after such an amazing (World Cup) and so much potential to see our game grow. Irreparable damage done.
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“Darkest day for football in Australia.”
On Sunday morning, no arrests or charges had been made on any of the supporters who ran onto the pitch in the 21st minute of the match, when Melbourne City were 1-0 up.
City keeper Tom Glover was left bleeding from a headwound that required stitches after he was struck by a bucket full of a retardant usually used to douse flares. The bucket also struck and injured referee Alex King.
Glover received treatment at AAMI Park for a concussion before being transported to hospital.
Referee Alex King was also injured in the invasion, while a cameraman was injured by a flare. The match was eventually called off.
In other matches, fans walked out of stadiums at the 20-minute mark in protest at the Australian Professional Leagues’ decision to enter into a three-year contract with the NSW government that would see both men’s and women’s A-League grand finals played in Sydney.
Socceroos’ Qatar World Cup star Craig Goodwin – who scored during Adelaide’s 3-1 loss to the Phoenix on earlier on Saturday – labelled it “extremely disappointing”.
In a statement, the Melbourne Victory said they would work with police to undertake “a full investigation”.
In their own statement, player’s association the Professional Footballers Australia said the fans involved should face the strongest possible sanctions.
“The PFA has met with the players involved in tonight’s match and will continue to ensure they are provided with the full support and resources of the PFA,” it said.
“We acknowledge the courage of players, club staff and referees who came to the aid of each other in circumstances that no one should ever be exposed to.”
Football Australia chief executive James Johnson will address media on Sunday morning.
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