A man has been banned from all soccer matches in Victoria for five years after storming on to the pitch and striking a junior player.
A Football Federation Victoria tribunal hearing last Wednesday found Spring Hills Stallions FC club associate Lee Lie, believed to be a relative of a player, guilty of hitting a Yarraville Glory player.
The hearing investigated a brawl involving up to 20 spectators at a Boys’ West 15A match between Spring Hills and Yarraville at Caroline Springs on May 17, following a scuffle between a player and goalkeeper.
Police are investigating.
Spring Hills FC was fined $3500 and its 15A team was docked nine championship points after the club pleaded guilty to having an associate enter the field of play and “engaging in a melee”.
Yarraville was fined $3000 and its team was docked nine championship points.
Three Spring Hills FC players were suspended for three, five and seven games respectively for their part in the melee, while two Yarraville FC players were suspended for three and seven games.
Yarraville FC associate Aleksandar Sofranoski was banned for two matches after being found guilty of entering the field of play but escaped a charge of violent conduct .
FFV spokesman Alen Delic said the organisation took a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour.
Benjamin Millar
