- The incident occurred in the MCC members-only dining room.
- Police have confirmed that two men suffered injuries.
- The investigation into the incident continues
A fight broke out in the MCG members-only dining room during the Hawthorn-Sydney Anzac round match when a teenager failed to stand for the national anthem on Sunday.
The incident reportedly occurred after another customer asked the teen to stand up out of respect, leading to a confrontation with the teen’s father.
This disagreement led to a physical altercation on the members’ balcony, witnessed by children.
Two men suffered minor injuries in the fight and Victoria Police have spoken to all parties involved. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
The MCC has refrained from commenting due to the ongoing police investigation.
The MCG is owned by the Victorian Government through the MCG Trust and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC).
MCC members can access live sports and events from the best seats in the stadium, dine in members-only facilities, take part in special screenings and view one of Australia’s leading collections of sporting literature and artefacts.
The last message and Australian anthem were played before the match between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks in their Anzac clash on Sunday.
A fight broke out in the MCG’s exclusive members’ dining room because a teenager reportedly refused to stand for the anthem.
Only MCC members can access the exclusive dining area, and voting is held to see who is lucky enough to enter.
There is a minimum 20-year wait to become a provisional member of MCC, and some members pay more than $800 a year for the privilege.
There is a $175 fee just to join the waiting list to become an MCC member, making it one of the most exclusive clubs in the country.
If someone signed up today to be a waiting list candidate, it would take approximately 20 years to offer them provisional membership.
Entry to the Members’ Dining Room is by voting and only existing MCC members are permitted entry.
There are currently about 23,000 MCC members, paying between $13 annually for foreign members over age 50 and $844 for adult members (ages 25 to 50) living in a metropolitan area.
Around 500 MCC members have joined a social media group called ‘MCC Members Action Group’.
news corporation has reported that several members complained about similar disruptions that occurred before the Anzac Round clash between Richmond and Melbourne on Wednesday night.
“Very disappointed in some members last night,” one posted.
‘Speaking through both national anthems. Is not sufficient.
‘I’m sorry. He hangs his head in shame. And the Melbourne fans.
Several members also took to social media in 2023 to complain about declining standards in members’ areas, with glasses stacked and unwashed and broken glass under tables and chairs.