- GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING
- An Australian football fan is set to undergo surgery after an alleged assault
- The incident is alleged to have occurred during an A-League match on Saturday
An Australian football fan is set to undergo surgery on multiple gruesome facial injuries after he was allegedly assaulted during Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 draw against Auckland United on Saturday.
The New Zealand Herald reports that two individuals were arrested while eight other spectators were evicted from the Go Media Smart Stadium after tense confrontations broke out between sets of supporters.
Footage published online shows sections of the crowd inside the stadium aggressively chanting and moving towards each other, while some objects were also seen being thrown.
Members of the stadium’s security staff and police were seen attempting to control both sets of fans during the match.
The hospitalised A-League fan was sitting in the East Stand for the match, though it is not yet understood if his injuries came as a result of that incident.
GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING
A football fan has been admitted to hospital after he was allegedly a victim of an assault during an A-League match
The man revealed online that he had broken his jaw in three places and required surgery on the injury
The supporter, who says he is a ‘travelling football fan’, took to X to update social media users on his condition.
He published several photos of himself in Middlemore Hospital and appeared in good spirits despite the painful injuries he had sustained. The fan added that he had broken his jaw in three places.
‘Thank you for everyone’s support the past day and night,’ the fan wrote.
‘My jaw is broken in 3 places and needs surgery tomorrow [Monday] to hopefully fix it. From the club to the fans who have sent me messages. Thank you.’
A spokesperson for the Western Sydney Wanderers said they were investigating the incident and had been in contact with the injured supporter.
‘The club has been in direct contact with the supporter involved and is currently liaising with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to thoroughly review the matter,’ the football club said.
‘Western Sydney Wanderers are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all supporters and we will continue to provide full support to the individual affected.’
Auckland FC chief executive Nick Becker also issued a statement on the incident.
The fan published multiple gruesome photographs, showing the injuries he had sustained, before thanking social media users for their support online
‘Auckland FC is extremely disappointed to hear of one or two isolated incidents of anti-social behaviour at Saturday’s match involving the club and travelling fans from Western Sydney Wanderers,’ Becker said.
‘Auckland FC has worked extremely hard to cultivate a positive and inclusive family atmosphere for the 200,000+ football fans who have enjoyed an incredible season at Go Media Stadium. This includes our most passionate football fans, thousands of families and first-timers from Auckland, Wellington and beyond.
‘This is the first time we have had any incidents involving fan anti-social behaviour and it’s something that we take very seriously. It does not represent our values or who we are as a club.
‘We are working closely with the police and the team at Go Media Stadium to see if any lessons can be learned, particularly in regard to how we manage travelling fans, as well as looking to identify and ban anyone who is found to be responsible.’
Stadium director for Auckland Council’s events body Tataki, James Parkinson told the New Zealand Herald that they would be investigating the crowd trouble.
‘Yesterday’s isolated incidents are in sharp contrast with an overwhelmingly positive and respectful behaviour we have witnessed from fans throughout this football season,’ Parkinson said.
‘We will be reviewing these incidents and working closely with Auckland FC to implement agreed changes so the focus rightly returns to the football and the family-friendly environment fans have been enjoying all season.’
Saturday’s draw means Auckland stay top of the A-League table, ahead of Western United by five points, despite having only won one of their last five league fixtures.
Western Sydney remain unbeaten in their last five A-League matches and currently sit fourth in the ladder, level on points with Melbourne Victory in fifth.
