Football Federation Australia says it will investigate after a Sydney football fan was evicted from the A-League preliminary final after he claims he was taking his daughter, who has a disability, to the nearest bathroom.
Video posted on social media shows security staff and NSW police officers speaking to Sydney FC fan Rory Carroll at a match won by Sydney FC 6-1 against Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
Mr Carroll claims he was taking his daughter, who was a disability, to the bathroom when the police got involved.
A video shows Mr Carroll addressing officers: "are you serious?" he is heard to ask.
"The disabled toilets, because my daughter needs it, are right there and they won’t let me take my daughter through. That’s what this is all about?" he can be heard saying during the exchange.
"You guys want to kick me out because he said so (as he points at security) and I can’t take my disabled daughter five metres."
NSW Police Force confirmed officers had escorted Mr Carroll out of the stadium and he had chosen to take his family with him.
"During an A-League game held at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah this evening, being Sunday 12 May, a male spectator was spoken to by security about seating protocols," a NSW police spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said police responded after he was found alone in a restricted access area and was asked to return to his ticketed seat.
"Despite repeated requests, the man was unwilling to co-operate and police assistance was sought. The man was spoken to by officers and after further refusals was escorted from the stadium."
Mr Carroll said the officers involved in the incident could have handled it better.
"Enough is enough. Our stadium tonight was filled with first-time security guards, some clearly on power trips," he said in a statement.
"The issues always start with security setting themselves against fans. Myself and my family were surrounded by a phalanx of armed police, with officers holding their hand to gun holsters."
"My daughter is traumatised," Mr Carroll said of the incident. "I had to console crying girls, and put up with multiple police cars monitoring my movements as we exited the stadium."
Football Federation Australia board member Joseph Carrozzi said they plan to investigate the incident.
