Has Australia Become a Hooligan Nation?

The shocking violence that erupted at an A-League Football match in Melbourne this week confronted Australia.

Police investigations and widespread condemnation continue in response to the pitch invasion and aftermath of the Melbourne Victory/Melbourne City derby last Saturday.

What does such fan behaviour mean for Australian sport?

Has Australian become a nation of hooligans at football (soccer) matches?

Ramon Spaaij is a sociology professor at Victoria University, specialising in crowd behaviour.

He spoke with Hope Mornings about the build-up to Saturday’s mayhem and discussed the level of Australia’s hooligan issue.

He also stated strongly what A-League clubs should do in response to such destructive behaviour.

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Listen to the full interview with Ramon Spaaij in the player above.