Aust. Soccer Violence

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31375, 22 May 1967, Page 11

Aust. Soccer Violence

(N.Z. Preu Assn.—Copyright) MELBOURNE, May 21. The main soccer match of the day in Melbourne was abandoned when hundreds of supporters began brawling among themselves, players and police.

The brawl began five minutes before the end of the game yesterday when the Juventus team goaled from a disputed corner giving them a 2-1 lead over the Makedonia club.

Angry Makedonia fans tried

to attack the referee and fighting began when Juventus supporters went to his assistance. The fighting lasted 15 minutes until five carloads of police arrived at the ground. At a Sydney suburban soccer oval, the Australian Federal Labour Senator, Mr Tony Mulvihill, was punched and kicked during a half-time melee in the Croatia-Yugal match.

Senator Mulvihill, a spectator, was ringed by Croatia supporters when he tried to prevent a spectator jabbing a Yugal player with an umbrella as he came off the field. The Yugal centre-half Cliff Halpin, was hit in the groin by the umbrella.

Senator Mulvihill grabbed the man and said, “Don’t start

anything. It’s just a game of soccer.”

Croatia supporters immediately began punching and kicking him. Halpin said after the match that the incident could have flared into a major brawl but for the quick action by officials.

He said: “I don’t know why the man picked me.”

Opposing players and spectators clashed again after the final whistle.

Players kicked and punched each other in a wild exchange outside the dressing sheds.

Spectators joined the melee and punches were thrown indiscriminately.

There were no police on hand, and it was left to officials to restore order.