FFA to review crowd incident after controversial Perth goal

Football Federation Australia officials are reviewing closed-circuit footage of A-League fans throwing bottles at match officials in an unsavoury end to the top-of-the-table clash in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Melbourne Victory Perth Glory A-League

Melbourne Victory captain Mark Milligan (left) speaks with referee Chris Beath at the half time break during the game versus Perth Glory (AAP Image) Source: AAP

A highly contentious goal to Perth Glory's Andy Keogh against Melbourne Victory sparked ugly scenes both on and off the pitch.

Keogh's goal was judged legal by the referees, despite the Irishman appearing to stray forward of Victory's last man in defence.

Offside or otherwise, a big-screen replay shown to the 22,525-strong AAMI Park crowd threw both fans and players into a frenzy.

Victory players remonstrated with the assistant referee, with Fahid Ben Khalfallah booked for his part, as plastic bottles landed around the linesman from the crowd.

An FFA spokesman confirmed on Monday the incident would be reviewed with punishments heading the way of any offenders.

"FFA is investigating the incident at AAMI Park on Saturday night when projectiles were thrown on to the pitch," the statement read.

"If offenders can be identified through the AAMI Park closed circuit TV or the event and security reports, FFA will impose bans on those responsible."

In his post-match interview, Glory coach Kenny Lowe suggested it was irresponsible to replay the "probably offside" goal.

"I don't think that's a good thing to show on the big screens at the games," he said.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat said he did his best to play peacemaker.

"Understandably the players were annoyed and we were trying to calm them down," he said.

The match ended 1-1 after Daniel Georgievski scored a fine second-half equaliser.


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2 min read
Published 9 March 2015 7:43pm
Updated 9 March 2015 7:46pm

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