Man accused of injuring umpire at AFL match in Melbourne has charges dropped
A man accused of throwing a water bottle at an umpire during an AFL match is no longer facing criminal charges.
Alexander Grutteria appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday when prosecutors applied to withdraw the three charges.
No reason was given for the application but Magistrate Suzanne Cameron agreed to strike out the charges of recklessly causing injury, discharging a missile and unlawful assault.
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Alexander Grutteria at an earlier court hearing. Jason South.
Grutteria was arrested in August after AFL goal umpire Steven Piperno was struck on the head during a Carlton and St Kilda match at Marvel Stadium.
Footage from the television broadcast showed a plastic bottle filled with liquid hit Mr Piperno, who was standing near the Carlton cheer squad.
Mr Piperno had to be replaced by an emergency umpire so he could undergo medical treatment for the cut to the back of his head.
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AFL goal umpire Steven Piperno was struck on the head during a Carlton and St Kilda match at Marvel Stadium. Seven Network
AFL Goal Umpire, Steven Piperno after being struck by an object during the 2024 AFL Round 24 match between the Carlton Blues and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium. AFL Photos via Getty Images
In the days after the incident, the AFL handed a life ban to the fan who threw the bottle, although they were not publicly named.
The league confirmed the man previously held a three-game Carlton membership.
He will no longer be eligible to purchase an AFL membership of any kind or attend any matches.
Carlton coach Michael Voss condemned the violence after the incident, saying it would not be tolerated.
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