Victoria Police has launched an investigation after an off-field fight at a football match in Ararat.
The incident has raised concerns around ‘dreadful’ behaviour at grassroots sporting events.
The fight took place during the match between the Ararat Eagles and Lismore-Derrinallum in Ararat, on Saturday.
Along with a police investigation, the Mininera and District Football League is also investigating two further incidents from the match – an alleged headbutt and an attempt strike – instigated by members of the Ararat Eagles.
Those incidents will be reviewed during its regular match panel review, and the off-field incident will be discussed on Wednesday.
Footage of the off-field incident shows what appears to be an Ararat Eagles representative punching someone from the opposition as play continues on the field.
A fight broke out between representatives of the Ararat Eagles and Lismore-Derrinallum
Police confirmed they were investigating an alleged assault and were looking at CCTV footage from the ground.
Speaking to ABC an unnamed spectator said they had not seen a fight like the one at the ground in 30 years.
‘It’s people’s Saturday and they just ruin it, it’s dreadful,’ he said.
‘Unless people fix their behaviour up, they should be kicked out of the league.
‘There’s a code of conduct when people enter the ground – all players are supposed to sign, it may as well be in the toilet.’
Lismore-Derrinallum president Tim Turner said the club had reviewed the reserves player’s involvement during the senior game under the club’s code of conduct and imposed an ‘indefinite ban’.
‘We’ve dealt with our bloke under our code of conduct. He’s been stood down indefinitely,’ Turner said.
The Demons president said Lismore-Derrinallum had ‘full faith’ in the Mininera league match review process.
‘There is a review process for these situations, both on and off the ground.
‘We support and have full faith in that process. Let’s leave the league and the police to do their jobs.’
Federation University professor of sports science, Rochelle Eime, said it was sad to disruptive or violent behaviour in community sports.
‘Behaviour is a learned thing in a social environment – what happens within a club is a ripple effect,’ she said.
‘It’s what is sort of accepted within all levels at a club – positive behaviour snowballs and negative behaviours do too.
‘If they allow things to occur, then they’ll occur again. The buck stops with the leaders of the club.’
