Victoria Police is closing in on the final group of alleged instigators behind the A-League Melbourne Derby pitch invasion, as the number of individuals already identified by Operation Astute surpasses 40.
To date, detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad have identified 42 people as part of the investigation into the pitch invasion. 37 of these individuals have been processed, including:
• 32 people charged with a range of offences, including assault, violent disorder, criminal damage, riotous behaviour, and discharging missiles.
• Five people issued with a fine or caution.
Victoria Police will refer the names of all individuals charged with the more serious charges of violent disorder, assault and/or discharge missile to Football Australia in the coming days.
Police are also aware that one of the five identified people who is yet to be processed departed Australia in the days following the Derby.
During the course of their investigations, detectives became aware the 33-year-old male left the country, shortly after the match. Follow-up enquiries with Australian Border Force confirm that he boarded a flight bound for Europe.
Investigators are also aware the male, who will be arrested and interviewed for violent disorder and discharging a missile upon his return to the country, was at the time subject to a ten-year ban from attending A-League games.
While the vast majority of alleged instigators behind the pitch invasion are now known to police, detectives are seeking public assistance to identify 11 individuals, who they believe are the final unidentified people responsible for committing serious offences, such as discharging missiles and violent disorder, at AAMI Park on 17 December.
Among those being sought by police is a man allegedly responsible for hurling a pole at the Public Order Response Team shortly after the pitch invasion occurred.
Other people depicted in the images released today are being sought for allegedly throwing broken seating/chairs, poles, and bottles at police during the pitch invasion.
Detectives would like to thank the public for the assistance provided so far, and urge anyone with more information or who may know the identities of those pictured to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
