It’s a lockout for thugs as AFL looks at all-venue ban

AFL footy thugs will be banned from attending games at all venues under a radical plan being drafted in a dramatic move to stamp out ugly incidents at games.

Police last night revealed they had charged a second man after an assault at Etihad Stadium last week where four men were bashed in a corporate bar.

The AFL confirmed it had launched a review of its matchday conditions of entry policy and was discussing changes with police, venues and clubs.

It is understood it is looking to bring in multi-venue bans covering all AFL matches.

The State Opposition said it supported “a centralised coordinated banning system, to apply to all venues”.

At present, individual venues have to ban supporters — as Etihad Stadium did on Monday when it dished out its first lifetime ban to a man involved in a bloody fight at the Collingwood v Western Bulldogs game on May 25.

A Yarraville man, 69, was charged last night with intentionally and recklessly causing injury and affray. A 46-year-old Carnegie man was arrested on the night and both will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 10.

Police are also searching for a third man who was wearing a Liverpool Football Club top.

Acting Commander David Clayton said: “There will be a highly visible police presence at sporting matches this weekend in public, membership and corporate areas.”

Authorities believe a new system will help keep fans who have been banned from one venue away from other venues.

An AFL spokesman said: “Over the last few months the AFL, in conjunction with law enforcement, other sporting codes and clubs, have been reviewing our match-day conditions of entry policy.”

Police have powers to ban a person from a designated area for up to 72 hours.

If a person has been charged with or found guilty of a range of offences police can also apply to a court for an alcohol exclusion order.

But authorities believe a simplified and centralised system is needed to ensure thugs are kept away from AFL games.

Opposition police spokesman Edward O’Donohue said: “Families should be able to go to the footy without fear of violence or anti-social behaviour.

“Those who engage in this behaviour should risk being banned not just from one venue, but from attending all games.”