Melbourne Victory have been sanctioned by the Football Federation Victoria Tribunal for an incident that occurred on 28 March 2015 against in an NPL 1 fixture against Ballarat Red Devils.
The club incurs a $1000 fine after a number of fans let off flares and allegedly stormed the pitch, stealing a corner flag.
The tribunal deliberated on two issues of misconduct, including:
- First Offence – Lighting, discharging or throwing a flare or flares, or other flammable object(s) as a result of its Club Associate(s) lighting, discharging and/or throwing flares at the above fixture; and
- First Serious Offence – Entering the Field of Play when not permitted and engaging in Misconduct as a result of its Club Associate(s) entering the field of play and removing / stealing a corner flag at the above fixture.
The incidents and their subsequent penalties are outlined in the Grievance, Disciplinary and Tribunal By-Law, which states:
Misconduct Penalty 2: Lighting, discharging or throwing a flare or flares, or other flammable object(s), incurs a First Offence Penalty of:
- 10 Penalty Units (1 Penalty Unit = $100); and/or
- Loss of 3 Points; and
- 4 Match Suspension for the relevant individual(s).
Misconduct Penalty 7B (Serious Offence): Entering the Field of Play when not permitted and engaging in Misconduct, incurs a First Offence Penalty of:
- 10 Penalty Units (1 Penalty Unit = $100); and/or
- Loss of 3 Points; and
- 4 Match Suspension for the relevant individual(s).
Despite pleading not guilty to the first charge, Victory were found guilty and fined the mandatory 10 penalty unit fine. The second charge was withdrawn by the Tribunal.
The charges for a repeat offence may include 20 penalty units and the loss of 6 competition points.
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
Other NPL tribunal findings this season have included:
Bulleen Lions being awarded a 3-0 victory over Whittlesea Ranges after the latter fielded an ineligible player in an NPL 1 fixture on March 20, a fixture which Whittlesea initially won 2-0.
An incident involving Avondale FC – also against Ballarat, in a youth fixture – with the “Club Associate(s), including but not limited to coaching staff, officials and spectators, directing offensive, insulting and/or abusive language towards the Match Official(s) at the above fixtures.” The club was fined 10 penalty units and the parties involved were directed to attend a Respect and Responsibility Course.