Footage has emerged appearing to show the father of Southside Melbourne Flyers player Maddy Rocci being embroiled in a furious confrontation with another spectator during the team’s WNBL semi-final clash against Townsville Fire on Sunday.
Ugly scenes erupted during the decider, as the Fire claimed a close-fought 84-75 victory in the match, to book their place in the WNBL Grand Final against Perth Lynx.
In a video obtained by The Townsville Bulletin, an argument had erupted in the stands between Mr Rocci and another spectator. Mr Rocci can be seen walking away from his seat before turning around and confronting the other fan.
He was overheard shouting ‘you’re a f***ing mol’ in the direction of what appeared to be a group of Townsville supporters.
Mr Rocci began to walk down the stairs towards the side of the court before turning back to confront the fan again.
Marco Rocci (pictured), the father of WNBL player Maddy Rocci, was involved in a heated confrontation with a Townsville Fire spectator during the team’s clash against Southside Melbourne Flyers on Sunday
Marco had travelled up to Queensland from Melbourne to watch his daughter play in the WNBL semi-finals decider between the Fire and the Flyers
‘It’s not worth it, mate,’ another person was overheard saying as he made his way back up the stairs.
He appeared to yell furiously in the face of a Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre steward.
‘Marco stop,’ one shouted.
Mr Rocci then walked back down the steps, momentarily turning back to perform a crude gesture.
He was then escorted out of the arena by security.
The Herald Sun writes that Basketball Australia’s Integrity Unit is investigating the matter.
‘On behalf of the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, we are disappointed in the behaviour of travelling fans at the last match,’ Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre management said in a statement.
‘We are providing support to our team members who responded to the situation and will manage the outcomes accordingly.’
But things turned ugly after Maddy claimed that a Townsville fan had been verbally abusing members of the Flyers team
Daily Mail has approached both the Southside Melbourne Flyers and Townsville Fire for comment.
It came as his daughter, Maddy, was also involved in a tense courtside incident with a spectator.
In what was her 200th WNBL appearance, the 27-year-old guard appeared to become incensed by something in the crowd following the match.
Rocci rushed to the side of the court, stood on a chair and was seen exchanging some heated words with a spectator. Her team-mates were forced to pull her away.
She later claimed that a Townsville fan had been ‘targeting players’, including her team-mates Cayla George and Hayley Peters, during the WNBL semi-finals series.
Her father had flown up from Melbourne for the match and Rocci told The Herald Sun that she had walked over to the sidelines to try and call out to her father.
Rocci claimed that the heated confrontation between her father and a Townsville fan came about because the fan was allegedly shouting abuse at the players.
‘I was going over there because I saw my dad there, and obviously I couldn’t go and grab him because there was a barrier,’ Rocci said.
Rocci was also involved in a heated exchange with a spectator on the side of the basketball court
Fire claimed an 84-75 victory to win the semi-finals series 2-1 and claim a berth in the Grand Final
‘I was like: “Dad, Dad.” Obviously, he couldn’t hear me because of what was happening.
She added that the Townsville fan had looked at her. She said: ‘All I did was say: “It’s always you”.’
A statement from the WNBL said: ‘The WNBL is aware of an incident that occurred at the conclusion of the Townsville Fire vs Southside Melbourne Flyers game on Sunday, 22 February involving two spectators.’
‘The WNBL Match Day manager immediately referred the matter to venue security and the spectators were subsequently asked to leave the venue.
‘The matter has been referred to Basketball Australia’s Integrity Unit and remains under review.’
