- AFL referee bleeding after ’embarrassing’ incident
- A 23-year-old man has been charged by police.
- The referee suffered a cut to his head after the incident.
A man has been charged after allegedly throwing a bottle at an umpire during an AFL match in Melbourne over the weekend.
Referee Steven Piperno was replaced midway through the second quarter of a clash between Carlton and St Kilda at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Sunday after a bottle was thrown at his head.
Piperno suffered a cut in the incident and Carlton officials said the bottle was thrown from a row of seats near the Carlton cheerleading squad, according to AAP.
Victoria Police have charged a 23-year-old Northcote man with recklessly causing injury, firing a missile and unlawful assault following the alleged incident.
The 23-year-old was released on bail and is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 1.
Carlton manager Michael Voss previously said the club does not condone the incident.
“Football has nothing to do with it,” Voss said.
‘We spend a lot of time trying to inspire and bring joy, and we want to have families in our football club.
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. Victoria Police have charged a man
“We want to create a really safe environment and I think we’re doing a very good job of it. We’ll continue to strengthen it.”
“It’s something I hope the AFL will follow very closely. I know our club will.”
The fan is understood to have fled the stadium shortly after the incident as police and stadium security launched an investigation.
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.
“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 be taken 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.”
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.