Five players from the Northern Territory’s premier women’s football competition have been suspended – and one charged with assault – over a post-match brawl described as “unacceptable” and “contrary to the inherent values ​​of our game” by the sport’s governing body.
Key points:
- Several NT Women’s Premier League players were involved in a post-match “physical altercation” in a stadium car park.
- Police investigating the incident have charged an 18-year-old woman with assault.
- Football NT banned five players between 12 weeks and three years and deducted competition points from one club.
NT Police have confirmed an 18-year-old player has been charged with assault in connection with the “physical altercation” involving several players on June 26, which broke out in the car park of Darwin Football Stadium in Marrara after a match.
“A verbal argument between two players turned into a physical altercation when a third party intervened,” Acting Sergeant Carol Maxwell said in a statement.
“The altercation was an escalation of the match.”
There were no serious injuries.
Yesterday, Football Northern Territory announced it had sanctioned two clubs – Hellenic Athletic Club and Port Darwin Football Club – in relation to the same incident.
In a statement, it said five players from both clubs had been banned from participating in association activities for various periods.
Darwin Football Stadium in Marrara is the largest outdoor stadium in the Northern Territory. (Provided: Celina Whan / AFLNT)
These players – including three from Hellenic and two from Port Darwin – face suspensions ranging from 12 weeks (four weeks of which will be suspended) to three years.
Hellenic was also stripped of nine points in the 2022 Women’s Premier League competition and will remain subject to a good conduct obligation which, if breached, will see the club lose three points for each infraction.
Football Northern Territory chief executive Bruce Stalder said everyone involved in the game should be able to participate in a safe environment.
“This behavior will never be tolerated, it is unacceptable, unnecessary and in stark contrast to the values ​​inherent in our game,” he added.
he said.
Mr. Stalder said that as part of the sanctions, suspended players would be enrolled in a community program designed to improve personal responsibility and behavioral flexibility.
The woman accused of assault is due in court on September 19.
The police investigation into the incident is ongoing.
