- AFL referee bleeding after ’embarrassing’ incident
- Fan hunted for throwing bottle into field
A goalkeeping official has been carried off the field and required medical attention after being hit in the head by a football fan during one of the final home and away games of the AFL season.
Goal referee Steven Piperno was struck from behind by a flying bottle, which appeared to be filled with water, midway through the second quarter during Carlton’s crucial clash with St Kilda at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
He was replaced by an emergency umpire while medical staff checked him on the boundary line.
The fan is understood to have fled the stadium shortly after the incident as police and stadium security launched an investigation.
The bottle came from the direction of the Carlton cheerleading squad, which remained vocal throughout the first two quarters as its team grabbed the business end of a 12-3 free throw count.
Piperno did not return to the field to officiate the second half, but gave the crowd and television cameras a double thumbs up shortly after his assessment while sitting on the boundary line.
AFL insiders expect the fan to receive a lifetime ban if caught.
Shocked commentators expressed their disappointment with fans both during and after the match.
Goalkeeper Steven Piperno was hit in the head by a flying water bottle in the second half.
Medical staff examined Piperno, who was bleeding from the head as a result of the incident.
“It’s horrible to see a bottle thrown at the goalie,” former Sydney Swans star and now AFL commentator Jude Bolton posted on X.
‘Unacceptable and disgusting behavior.’
Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor called the incident an “absolute disgrace”.
“There’s no place for that in any of our games,” he said.
“I know he looks fine and he’s taken it in good spirits, but there’s quite a bit of blood coming out of the back (of his head), so it’s not something to take lightly.”
Garry Lyon also denounced the “cowardly act” on Fox Footy’s Sunday Ticket.
“That’s an almost total attack, that’s what it is… This coward will be found out and will never return to football again,” he said.
Piperno did not return to his duties in the second half, but gave a double nod of approval to the fans.
Richmond veteran Jack Riewoldt said the bottle came from the bottom of the stands.
“Someone made an attempt to go through the cheerleading squad and throw a bottle at a referee who has absolutely no influence on the free throw count… it’s an act of cowardice.”
Police are understood to have questioned nearby witnesses as they continue to investigate.
Fans took to social media to share their disgust with the “dog act.”
“Whoever threw the water bottle and hit the referee should be charged with assault and banned for at least 10 years,” one fan wrote on X.
Police and Marvel Stadium security immediately investigated the incident Sunday night.
Tensions were high in Melbourne as the Blues desperately tried to secure a place in the finals.
“A well-deserved life ban for the complete troglodyte who threw that water bottle at the referee in the goal. Despicable,” wrote another.
Tensions were high during the final two-legged tie as Carlton desperately tried to secure a top-eight place ahead of the final.
However, the Saints pulled out the win to finish the season in .
A late goal from Jack Higgins put the Saints ahead with just 12 seconds left on the clock to claim a two-point victory.
Carlton made it to the final after Port Adelaide defeated Fremantle.
