Vic police vow to end soccer brawls
Victorian police say they are committed to ridding Australian soccer of poorly behaving fans, after charging three more men over a brawl between rival supporters.
More than 100 people clashed in central Melbourne before the A-League match between the Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers on December 28 last year.
Detectives raided three properties in Sydney and arrested and charged three men on Tuesday.
Seven other men have also been charged over the brawl.
Commander Rick Nugent said the vast majority of soccer supporters are well behaved, but a small number ruin it for everyone.
"Collectively we are committed to ridding the sport of small groups of individuals who behave unlawfully and put the reputation of A-League football at risk," he told reporters.
"Unfortunately we still have minor groups of individuals that have another agenda. They are there to behave inappropriately, occasionally violently, and discharge flares.
"The message is clear: if that's your agenda don't come to the games."
Mr Nugent said 27 people had been apprehended by police this year for violence, damage to seats and possession of flares, but supporter behaviour had improved markedly.
Those charged on Tuesday were a 27-year-old Horningsea Park man and two 22-year-olds, from Strathfield and Raby.
They have each been charged with affray, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, possessing a dangerous article and discharging a missile.
They faced different local courts in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon with two already bailed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 3.
Three teenagers were also cautioned about the brawl.
Police still wish to speak to four men who were in the vicinity of the December brawl and released their images on Tuesday.
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