23 Dec 2022

Football Australia bans eight more fans over pitch invasion

5:45 am on 23 December 2022

Football Australia has handed lengthy stadium bans to eight more fans in the wake of last Saturday's violent pitch invasion during the abandoned A-League Melbourne derby.

A bleeding Tom Glover of Melbourne City is escorted from the pitch during the A-League Men's soccer match between Melbourne City and the Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Saturday, December 17, 2022. (AAP Image/Will Murray / www.photosport.nz

Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover suffered a head injury when he was hit by a metal bucket thrown by a pitch invader. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz

The governing body hit two fans with lifetime bans earlier in the week and on Thursday dished out suspensions ranging from five to 20 years to the eight fans over the incident during the A-League game between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.

"Football is the beautiful game, it brings together people like no other sport can, and we will not let the actions of these non-football fans cast a dark cloud over the game we love," Football Australia Chief Executive James Johnson said in a statement.

"Football Australia will continue to work with Victoria Police and the venue to identify other guilty parties and rid our game of such people."

More than 100 fans stormed onto the pitch during the game at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, injuring several people, including City goalkeeper Tom Glover and referee Alex King.