Goalkeeper escapes punishment for throwing flare in ugly A-League pitch invasion
Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover has escaped sanction for his role in the violent A-League pitch invasion earlier this month.
Several people have been charged for their involvement in the fracas, which saw spectators swarm on to the pitch at AAMI stadium during the Melbourne derby on December 17, forcing the match to be abandoned.
Glover was concussed and left with “severe lacerations” from the incident, after being struck in the head with a metal bucket.
Football Australia hinted Glover could face punishment for throwing a flare that landed amongst a group of rival supporters, which led to the first hoards of incensed spectators leaping the fence and making a beeline towards him.
But Glover has been officially exonerated of any wrongdoing and will be free to play in his team’s next game against Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday, having also been cleared of concussion.
“Since the independent MRP was satisfied that the incident had not escaped the referee’s attention, the MRP did not proceed to consider whether Glover should have been sanctioned with a direct red card,” Football Australia said.
“Accordingly, the MRP has not cited the incident pursuant to the regulations.”
