A crisis meeting between Victoria Police, Melbourne Victory and soccer's ruling body, Football Federation Australia, will look for ways to end violence by fans towards police.
Superintendent Rod Wilson has branded soccer's supporters the most violent of any sporting code in Melbourne and he wants the meeting next Monday night to try to weed out the bad elements.
He told the Herald Sun that the crowd behaviour at Melbourne's soccer games were worse than any other code.
"We are concerned about the attitude of some supporters towards police - they're certainly showing violent tendencies," he said.
"Police are being assaulted. Police are reluctant to work the venues because of the behaviour of some elements - and I stress some elements - of the crowd."
He said unruly fans resist arrest and are belligerent.
But fans have accused police and grounds security of being heavy-handed in their monitoring of matches.
Adam Tennenini, who heads the Victory's supporter group the Blue and White Brigade, says police have been involved in some unsavoury incidents.
"Ultimately we just want what is fair and to simply support our club," he said.
"Football fans are not poorly behaved but will stand up for themselves when something unjust is being perpetrated upon them."
Front page
RSS Feed