MELBOURNE: An Australian A-League clash between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City was abandoned Saturday after “shocking” scenes when fans stormed the pitch and attacked a goalkeeper, who suffered a suspected concussion.
The match was called off in the first half after a fan protest against a decision this week by league bosses to award the grand finals series to Sydney for the next three years turned violent.
Supporters of both sides were planning to walk out at the 20-minute mark, but Victory fans turned on City goalkeeper Tom Glover after he appeared to throw a flare back toward them.
Moments earlier a flare had hit a television cameraman on the back, local reports said.
Scores of fans invaded the pitch and one grabbed a metal bucket and threw it into Glover’s face as scuffles broke out and a group of men swung on the crossbar.
Play was halted and both sides left the field with the game abandoned.
“Tom Glover is receiving medical treatment in the dressing room and likely has a concussion,” tweeted City, who were leading 1-0 at the time, with pictures showing a bloody gash on his face.
Referee Alex King was also injured, Football Australia said.
“Following shocking scenes ... where fans from the Melbourne Victory FC end entered the field of play, Football Australia match officials have abandoned the match,” it said.
“Such behavior has no place in Australian football, with a full Football Australia investigation is to commence immediately, where strong sanctions will be handed down.”
Melbourne Victory said the club was “devastated” and apologized.
“The club unequivocally condemns the actions of fans at Saturday night’s match against Melbourne City,” it said.
“The club would like to formally apologize to Tom Glover, match official Alex King and the camera operator as well as all players, officials and those who witnessed the appalling behavior.”
The scenes sparked a scathing response from football pundits.
“I can’t believe what has happened! Not the way to protest! Very sad that it has come to this,” said former Australian international and English Premier League player Robbie Slater.
Former A-league goalkeeper Clint Bolton added that “I’ve never felt as embarrassed and as empty as I feel right now.”
Social media also lit up with one fan tweeting: “Truly shameful scenes that will be seen around the world,” while another added: “There’s a way to make your point and this ain’t it. Disgrace.”
Goalkeeper injured as fans invade pitch in Melbourne derby
https://arab.news/c5a2x
Goalkeeper injured as fans invade pitch in Melbourne derby
- Supporters of both sides were planning to walk out at the 20-minute mark
- Victory fans turned on City goalkeeper Tom Glover after he appeared to throw a flare back towards them
Real Sociedad end Barca winning streak to tighten Liga title race
- The Catalan giants, who hit the woodwork four times and had two goals disallowed, now only lead rivals Real Madrid by a single point at the top of the table
SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain: Real Sociedad damaged Barcelona’s title defense ambitions as Goncalo Guedes gave them a surprise 2-1 La Liga victory on Sunday as Hansi Flick’s side fell to a first defeat in 12 matches.
The Catalan giants, who hit the woodwork four times and had two goals disallowed, now only lead rivals Real Madrid by a single point at the top of the table after Alvaro Arbeloa’s side beat Levante on Saturday.
Hosts Real Sociedad, now unbeaten in four games under new American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, had Carlos Soler sent off late on but managed to hold on to triumph and climb up to eighth.
“I think we deserved to win today, we had a lot of chances, but in the end you have to put them away,” Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong told DAZN.
“We played well but we didn’t win... their goalkeeper had a very good game.”
Sociedad shot-stopper Alex Remiro made several crucial saves.
“Three great points and a great game,” said Remiro.
“We’ve started this year in great form... this is the energy we have, how we’ve changed (recently).”
In a frantic start to a compelling game at the rainy Reale Arena, both teams had goals ruled out.
La Real had the ball in the net inside 30 seconds when Mikel Oyarzabal headed home Guedes’s cross, but had strayed offside.
At the other end, Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez drilled home from range but Dani Olmo had committed a foul in the build-up and it was ruled out.
With teenage winger Lamine Yamal keen to take on defenders, Barca got in often down the right flank. The 18-year-old teed up Olmo who fired high over the bar when he might have sent the Catalans ahead.
Yamal found the net himself but the goal was ruled out for an extremely tight offside, before Real Sociedad took the lead against the run of play.
Oyarzabal lashed home Guedes’s cross with a blistering volley inside Joan Garcia’s near post.
Yamal was felled just inside the area before half-time but although the referee pointed to the spot, a VAR review showed that the youngster was offside again and it was canceled out.
Remiro heroics
Barcelona turned up the pressure in the second half and Real Sociedad were left depending on Remiro and the frame of the goal to keep the Catalans at bay.
Olmo crashed a shot against the post from Lopez’s cross and then Remiro denied the Barca midfielder with a fine near-post save.
Remiro then tipped substitute Robert Lewandowski’s header against the crossbar with the save of the night.
Another Barca substitute, Marcus Rashford, eventually pulled the champions level, heading Yamal’s cross home after 70 minutes.
However, the hosts immediately regained their advantage after Barca goalkeeper Garcia initially saved Carlos Soler’s shot. The midfielder was able to gather the rebound and cross for Guedes, who fired La Real ahead again.
They should have got a third when Garcia, out of his goal, had no chance of saving Oyarzabal’s effort but Pau Cubarsi headed the ball off the line.
Barcelona came within centimeters of an equalizer when Joao Cancelo, on his second debut for the club, crossed for Jules Kounde, who headed against the crossbar.
Soler was dismissed for an ugly foul on Pedri before nine minutes of stoppage time were added on.
Rashford hit the post directly from a corner kick as Barca pushed until the end but could not find a way through.
