CHARGES MAY BE LAID OVER BRAWL
POLICE have warned violent behaviour will not be tolerated at any football games or events as officers continue to investigate an ugly Saturday night brawl at Kardinia Park.
Detectives say one man has handed himself in to a Melbourne police station after disturbing footage of a postmatch brawl between Geelong and Melbourne fans was aired through media channels on Sunday.
While no charges have been laid, police will talk to the man and are appealing for anyone who witnessed the brawl, captured footage or was involved to come forward.
Geelong Criminal Investigation Unit Senior Sergeant Terry Hay said police would review witness statements and footage to determine if any charges would be laid.
“One person who has been identified (through footage) has got on the front foot and presented himself to the police.
“We will be speaking to him and we would like to speak to anyone who was involved or was a witness.” Sen-Sgt Hay said police would not tolerate violent behaviour and expected fans to behave in a respectful and appropriate way at a public event.
“Our key message is that vi- olence is not acceptable in the home, in the street or at the football,” Sen-Sgt Hay said.
“Mums and dads with their kids at the football should not have to put up with this or witness violence.”
Police are continuing to work with Kardinia Park to investigate the incident and yesterday attended a multistakeholder meeting to discuss how to address future violence at the ground.
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive Michael Brown said its main objective is to ensure the safety and security of all at GMHBA Stadium.
“We will continue to work with the Victorian Police, AFL and both clubs to investigate the incident that occurred in the Gary Ablett Terrace postSaturday night’s game,” he said.
On Sunday Mr Brown had raised the option of segregating fans but AFL chief execu- tive Gillon McLachlan yesterday morning ruled out such a move.
“The issue here is individual accountability,” he said.
“We pay a lot of money for security. They need to be in early and then the police need to be prosecuting these guys and holding them to account.
“We have isolated incidents. These people are drinking too much and carry on like absolute idiots, behaving completely inappropriately and need to be held to account. Accountability’s the critical part. Whether that’s they’re members and they’re banned or banned from venues or actually police charging them with assault, whatever it is it will play out over the coming days but that’s what needs to happen here.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.