Row over Aussie football violence

A war of words has erupted between Victoria Police and the Melbourne Victory football club over claims its fans are Australia's most violent, SBS' Glenn Osborne reports.

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A war of words has erupted between Victoria Police and the Melbourne Victory football club over allegations the Victory's supporters are the most violent in Australia, Glenn Osborne reports.

Police say officers have been bitten, had bottles thrown at them and suffered injuries when trying to break up fights or intervene when flares are lit.

Football Federation Australia and Victory supporters groups say football supporters are no more violent than other sports fans.

Police say in one match which attracted 8,000 fans recently, 23 people were evicted, and in another 14 flares were let off, making officers nervous.

The Victory disagrees, saying there's no problem, and fans claim there are police and the media campaigns against them.


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1 min read

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By Glenn Osborne

Source: SBS


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