By Ben McEachenTuesday 20 Dec 2022Hope MorningsLifeReading Time: 1 minute
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.
Listen to the full interview with Ramon Spaaij in the player above.