Police stand firm on show of force at soccer final

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Police stand firm on show of force at soccer final

Police are making no apologies for a heavy handed approach around the A-League grand final, after one officer was hospitalised and flares were thrown at the crowd.

Heavily armed officers, riot police and the mounted branch were part of a visible show of force from Victoria Police for the match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

Police reported a generally positive atmosphere at the match with 11 evictions, four penalty notices and one arrest for an alleged assault on a security guard.

Despite good behaviour inside AAMI Park, CBD Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said incidents before the match in nearby Swan Street involved supporters throwing flares at police, and into the crowd, as they marched to the venue.

Over 20 flares were set off before the match, and six within AAMI Park.

One police officer was taken to hospital after he was kicked by an unknown offender in Swan Street, requiring his jaw to be glued back together.

That matter is still being investigated.

Commander Dunstan said police efforts were bolstered ahead of the match because of past experience and other intelligence.

“We were expecting concerning behaviours, and we were pleased to see that the vast majority of people were acting fantastically,” the senior officer told reporters on Sunday.

“Only a couple of months so we had an affray between these active supporter groups – that’s concerning for us, and we have an obligation to respond.”

Victorian police minister Anthony Carbines said A-League Grand Finals sometimes had a history of being “troubled”.

“I make no apologies for having a very strong police presence,” Mr Carbines said on Sunday.

“Past behaviour is often an indicator of future behaviour, and while the main behaviour was good, there will always be incidents.”

Melbourne City beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 in a scrappy win in the first ever Melbourne derby grand final.

The crowd of 29,902 was a sporting record crowd at the venue.

The league and both clubs have been contacted for comment.

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