TCF understands the NPL Round 22 fixture between Melbourne Victory and South Melbourne FC will be played behind closed doors at a venue yet to be announced, but understood not to be Epping Stadium.
It is understood Melbourne Victory has made the dramatic decision in the interests of public safety following a spate of incidents this year involving supporters. The club plead guilty to misconduct at a hearing of the FFV Tribunal on 8th June 2016 in which it was penalised 6 competition points and a further 6 competitions points were suspended. The misconduct was in relation to the NPL Round 9 fixture between the two clubs where there was an incident involving supporters. The FFV tribunal decision describes the incident as follows:
On 24 April 2016, there was a National Premier League fixture between South Melbourne FC and Melbourne Victory FC. At approximately the 50th minute mark, a violent incident occurred where approximately 32 supporters from Melbourne Victory entered the field and ran around the athletics track to engage in a violent incident with supporters of South Melbourne. Items were thrown into the South Melbourne crowd, South Melbourne supporters were spat upon, punches were thrown and a container containing fluid, possibly chlorine, was thrown into the South Melbourne crowd.
This club penalty came following individual tribunal charges being laid against 17 supporters resulting in bans of up to five years being imposed.
The decision will make the upcoming fixture the first in NPL Victoria history to be played behind closed doors and potentially the first in Victorian football history whereby a club has made such a move due to security concerns with their own supporters.
TCF approached the FFV yesterday to confirm the circumstances around this fixture. The FFV advised they were not in position to comment however they anticipate a formal announcement to be publicised early next week.
Melbourne Victory has taken unprecedented steps at the NPL level to increase security protocols at both its home and away matches. The misconduct, in the form of disruptive and at times violent conduct, by its supporters has bought unwanted attention to the club in a year which saw its NPL squad promoted to the top NPL tier in Victorian football.
The club is having mixed results in its first season in the NPL where it fields both an U20 and Senior squad. The U20 squad finished top of the league last year in NPL2 and their success has continued in 2016. The team Captained by Josh Cavallo is sitting second on the ladder going into Round 21 with 11 wins and an impressive +36 goal difference.
The Senior squad has not enjoyed the same fortunes as their younger counterparts. They have just 3 wins from 20 matches and when combined with the 6 competition point penalty from the tribunal, leaves them on just 4 points. This is 11 points away fromRichmond to avoid automatic relegation and 17 points away from Avondale (who they lost to 0-3 today at Epping Stadium) and guaranteed NPL top-tier football in 2017. With just six games remaining in the 2016 season, it is almost a certainty the Melbourne Victory will be returning to the NPL2 in 2017.
Summary of incidents involving Melbourne Victory supporters
March 2015 – At the NPL1 Round 5 fixture against Ballarat Red Devils, Melbourne Victory was penalised by the the FFV Tribunal when supports threw flare, entered the field of play and removed a corner flag.
80′ Play is delayed as some @gomvfc fans light 6 flares, and steal the corner flag before leaving the ground #BRDvMVC pic.twitter.com/Kn7RwYOzuu
— PS4 NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) March 28, 2015
September 2015 – At the post-season promotion/relegation play-off against North Geelong Warriors, it is alleged approximately 10 Melbourne Victory supporters jumped the fence and entered the field of play to celebrate with players.
March 2016 – At the NPL Round 4 fixture against Richmond FC, it is alleged Melbourne Victory supporters jumped the fence and entered the field of play to celebrate with players.
The FFV advised there was not complaint lodged in relation to this incident, no investigation was undertaken and no charges laid.
April 2016 – At the NPL Round 6 fixture against Bentleigh Greens, it is alleged Melbourne Victory supporters jumped the fence and entered the field of play and removed a corner flag.
The FFV advised there was not complaint lodged in relation to this incident, no investigation was undertaken and no charges laid.
April 2016 – At the NPL Round 9 fixture against South Melbourne FC, approximately 32 Melbourne Victory supporters jumped the fence, entered the field of play and engaged in a violent incident with South Melbourne fans.
We welcome @VictoriaPolice including the #polair chopper to Lakeside.. Things settled down now. pic.twitter.com/mt8f6ZEaBy
— NPL Vic Football (@NPLVic_Football) April 24, 2016
April 2016 – At the NPL Round 10 fixture against Melbourne Knights, Melbourne Victory supporters were denied entry to Epping Stadium by the club, proceeded to support the team from the fence line outside the ground and then allegedly engage in violent conduct against Melbourne Knights fans including throw items including a flare as they tried to leave the venue.
The FFV advised: Football Federation Victoria will not be referring any charges to the Independent Tribunal relating to misconduct outside the stadium after the conclusion of the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria match, Melbourne Victory v Melbourne Knights played on Saturday April 30, 2016. FFV understands that Victoria Police has also investigated the matter and has not proceeded with any charges at this time. FFV and Victoria Police are working cooperatively to remove the small minority of individuals responsible for crowd misconduct at football matches in Victoria
May 2016 – The FFV tribunal met and heard charges against 17 Melbourne Victory supporters in relation to the violent incident at Lakeside Stadium in the fixture against South Melbourne.
June 2016 – The FFV tribunal met and heard charges against Melbourne Victory who plead guilty to misconduct. The club was penalised 6 competition points and a further loss of 6 competition points was suspended for 12 months.
July 2016 – At the NPL Round 20 fixture against Oakleigh Cannons, it is alleged Melbourne Victory supporters entered the ground before leaving approximately 10 minutes later and proceeding behind the ground and throwing objects, including a flare, over the fence. The FFV have advised they are aware of and currently investigating this incident.