One person was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital and two others were hospitalized locally after a “disgraceful” brawl at a football match in Victoria’s northwest on Sunday.
Mildura Police say a referee was knocked unconscious during the match between the Irymple Knights and Three Colors Soccer Club.
Superintendent John O’Connor said the incident sparked a pitch invasion, during which another referee was allegedly knocked to the ground and punched on the head.
“This is truly shameful behavior,” he said.
Supt O’Connor said a 30-year-old man from Colignan had been charged with recklessly causing serious injury.
He added that investigations were ongoing and “many other people” would likely be charged with affray.
“We can’t let anyone touch a referee”
he said.
“We had three people hospitalized and I understand one of them was airlifted to hospital with a broken jaw.”
Supt O’Connor said detectives were working “hard” to identify those involved in order to “bring them before the courts”.
An “unexpected” incident
Representatives for both competing teams declined to comment.
However, Mildura City Soccer Club president Vince Pollifrone said the incident was “very upsetting”.
“Our main concern is the injured players and the referees,” he said.
“That’s the last thing you want to see.”
Mr Pollifrone said the incident was completely “out of the blue”.
“I’ve been involved in this sport for almost 40 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,”
he said.
Sunraysia Football Association has been contacted for comment.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the federation asked anyone with footage of the incident to contact local police, but to refrain from posting images online, which it said could harm the police investigation.
