A-League Men match abandoned after Melbourne City player injured in pitch invasion

An A-League Men match has been abandoned for player safety reasons after Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover sustained a head injury when spectators stormed onto the playing surface at AAMI Park.

The spectators invaded the pitch during the City-Victory match and threw flares in the 22nd minute in what appeared to be a part of a protest over the decision to sell the A-Leagues’ grand final hosting rights.

Both sets of fans had been throwing flares on the pitch but the situation escalated when a flare appeared to hit a Channel 10 camera operator, then exploded when Glover picked another off the ground and threw it back into the stands.

Spectators then rushed the pitch and Glover was struck by a metal bucket — which is used to dispose of flares — and immediately started bleeding from his temple, requiring medical assistance.

He was hurriedly taken from the field to be treated, while the match was initially suspended as security officials attempted to remove the spectators from the playing area.

Both sets of players were quickly rushed down the tunnel, before the decision was made to abandoned the fixture.

The A-League competitions have been engulfed in controversy this week after the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) signed a new deal that will see their showpiece grand finals hosted in Sydney for the next three years.

There had been a tense atmosphere before and during the match in Melbourne.

Both sets of fans started “f*** the APL” chants immediately after the preceding A-League Women match finished.

Victory and City fans each unfurled banners pre-match and during the first half, referencing their displeasure with the APL.

Victory fans let off small fireworks then flares, while their goalkeeper Paul Izzo had to help dispose of flares thrown by City supporters.

City led 1-0 when the match stopped, courtesy of Aiden O’Neill’s goal in the 11th minute.

Earlier games in the round — played on Friday night and Saturday afternoon — saw spectators peacefully protest by unveiling banners and leaving their seats in the stands.

The APL’s deal with Destination NSW — worth a reported eight-figure sum that will run until the end of 2025 — received significant backlash from football fans following Monday’s announcement.

The extraordinary reaction to the decision to change the grand final policy continued with Victory chair Anthony Di Pietro resigning from his role as an APL director.

ABC/AAP