Socceroo Milos Degenek criticises 'nonsense' policing of fans at A-League Men grand final

Socceroos defender Milos Degenek has criticised the excessive policing of fans at Australian football games, calling the police presence pre-match at Saturday evening's A-League Men grand final "nonsense".

Speaking ahead of the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier against Japan, Degenek argued that the approach from Victoria Police ahead of the decider was counter-productive.

"It's nonsense that you have people in riot gear for guys who are going to a game," he said in Perth on Tuesday.

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"I don't think we're going to a war. We're just going to a football game. You're making it out to be a lot worse than what it is.

"Because you are paying so much attention to those things — fans or flares and this and that — in the end, you're going to force an issue."

Degenek also believes that allowing stadium-goers more freedom to express their passion would benefit football in Australia.

"You need to give the fans the freedom, the joy," he said.

"Because the more you do that (police), the less people are going to go to the stadium.

"In Europe, you have less police, and that's where you have more fans at the games.

"And for us as footballers, it's a lot better when you see flares in the stadium, when you see fans screaming, chanting, flares going off, because that kind of gets the adrenaline going and motivates you even more."

The condemnation comes after chaotic scenes erupted on Richmond's Swan Street, outside AAMI Park, in the lead up to the derby decider between Melbourne City and Victory, with fans hurling flares into crowds.

Two arrests were made following the riot, which involved a small group of Victory fans as they marched to the game.

A police officer was kicked in the face, which required treatment in hospital, while others were the target of flares.

Possessing or discharging a flare without a reasonable excuse is illegal in Victoria.

In a letter to members and fans published on Wednesday afternoon, Melbourne Victory denounced the "overwhelming and unacceptable" police presence, claiming the deployment created fear among families and fans, rather than promoting an enjoyable atmosphere.

"We are and will continue to address the treatment of football fans in this country," the statement read.

"The scenes we saw prior to the grand final on Swan Street were overwhelming and unacceptable.

"Instead of promoting a fun and exciting spectacle of football, the extent of the police presence created fear amongst families and football fans alike."

The statement continued: "There is a line between keeping people safe and creating fear in the first place, and we believe the latter is what occurred.

"This is not acceptable. We will not allow our members and fans to continue to be treated this way, and we have called on the Victorian Government and Victoria Police, along with all football stakeholders, including the APL (Australian Professional Leagues) and Football Australia, to work with Melbourne Victory to investigate how this occurred and to support us in making the changes we expect to the football narrative in order to support the safe and sustained growth of our sport and our club."

In response, Victoria Police said it is aware of the letter and is working directly with the club and A-Leagues.

A day before the grand final, Victoria Police issued a statement outlining their planned presence.

This statement indicated a "visible presence" with "bolstered resourcing" including hundreds of frontline police and Mounted Branch, Highway Patrol, Public Order Response and State Liquor units.

The statement also stated Victoria Police's "zero tolerance for anyone engaging in reckless or anti-social behaviour".

Eleven evictions were made from the stadium, with four penalty notices issued for the possession of a flare, one penalty notice for rioting and two cautions for trespassing.