A patron at Marvel Stadium is facing a likely lifetime ban after striking a goal umpire in the head with a bottle during St Kilda‘s clash with Carlton.
The actions of the crowd member soured St Kilda’s win as goal umpire Steven Piperno was left bloodied by the flying bottle that hit in the back of his head.
Piperno was immediately replaced by emergency umpire Chelsea Roffey as he was attended to by medical staff.
READ MORE: Murray facing big ban after bizarre sin bin wait
READ MORE: IPC drop Olympic ring tattoo ruling in shock backflip
READ MORE: Two players binned as melee almost spills into crowd
Goal-line footage was replayed following the incident, leaving commentators stunned by the fan’s actions.
“That is just nothing short of disgraceful,” Brian Taylor said in commentary on Seven.
“It must have had water in it too inflict any sort of cut.
“There is no room for that anywhere in any of our games regardless.
“He looks OK and he’s taken it in good spirit but there is quite a lot of blood being drawn out the back of his head there. Not something to make light of.
Sydney Swans great Jude Bolton slammed the incident on X, writing: “Bloody awful seeing a bottle thrown at the goal umpire.”
“Unacceptable and disgusting behaviour.”
https://twitter.com/Jude_Bolton/status/1827589784073826551?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
ABC reporter Lauren Bordin reported on X that the man had left the stadium before he could be thrown out by security.
Venue staff at Marvel Stadium are investigating the matter, however, it remains unknown which fan zone he belonged to.
The AFL has yet to comment on the incident.
The narrow 11.8 (74) – 11.10 (76) victory for St Kilda reduces Carlton’s finals chance, with the Blues fate placed in the hands of Freemantle.
The Dockers require Port Adelaide to beat Fremantle in the last game of the season, which would lock them into an elimination final against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
