Fiery melee breaks out late in Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar clash during former Socceroo's injury return
As proceedings neared a dull 0-0 draw between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City, players took it into their own hands to fire up matters as an all-in melee broke out during injury time.
In the 93rd minute, Brisbane's Georgios Vrakas tried to attack down the right side and evade Nathaniel Atkinson but couldn't get past the City defender.
The sideline official ruled a foul on Atkinson, who then picked up the ball before Vrakas could take a quick free kick.
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The men exchanged words before almost all other players from both teams rushed over to join the fracas.
Brisbane's Milorad Stajić was pulled to the ground by Germán Ferreyra.
Andrew Nabbout was involved in a fiery incident. Paramount
Stajić rose to his feet and then targeted the wrong man, staring down Andrew Nabbout who returned the glare, intensely bulging his eyes as things grew more heated.
They pair began to go head-to-head before Nabbout was held away from the action.
On Paramaount+'s commentary, Andy Harper was critical of Atkinson's act.
"He has no right to pick the ball up and delay the restart," he said.
"Nice bit of footwork (by Vrakas), Atkinson claims no foul, fair enough, but he's not going to win that argument. This is now yellow card material (when he picks the ball up), clearly, and particularly with the bust up that follows."
Nathaniel Atkinson and Georgios Vrakas clash. Paramount
Stajić and Atkinson were both handed yellow cards.
The game ended 0-0 in what was Nabbout's first match in 361 days after an ACL rupture.
"It's been a long 12 months," he said post-match.
"I felt like I've been on the bench the last 12 months and just haven't played. I didn't feel left out or that it took me a while to get into it ... I feel really, really grateful to be back out there."
In the other Friday night A-League action, superstar recruit Juan Mata scored his first goal for Melbourne Victory in a 2-0 win against Perth Glory.
Mata started the match and found the net in the 54th minute with a back post finish.
The other goalscorer was Keegan Jelacic.
