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'Not acceptable': Australian football shocked by disgraceful scenes

Melbourne City goalkeeper Teagan Micah had bottles and cans thrown at her in a disgraceful display from rival Melbourne Victory supporters. Pictures: Instagram/Getty Images
Melbourne City goalkeeper Teagan Micah had bottles and cans thrown at her in a disgraceful display from rival Melbourne Victory supporters. Pictures: Instagram/Getty Images

Melbourne City's remarkable W-League turnaround against Melbourne Victory has been overshadowed by a group of Victory fans who hurled bottles and abuse at City and Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah.

Late in Sunday's game at Epping Stadium, play had to be stopped for several minutes as referee Danielle Anderson, City captain Emma Checker and Victory skipper Angela Beard attempted to calm the crowd down.

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It took the gloss off City's thrilling 3-2 win, which was a remarkable turnaround from their 6-0 loss to the same team a week earlier.

"The behaviour of the fans at the match was not acceptable," Micah said on Twitter post-match.

"I am all for supporting football and the women's game.

"However, it is simply unacceptable to have glass bottles thrown at me.

"The ground officials and security must do better to protect us.

"Reports will be filed, something has to be done before a player is seriously harmed."

City coach Rado Vidosic condemned the behaviour and lauded the referee's swift action.

"Come here, support your team, that's brilliant ... but to throw things at a goalkeeper, a female goalkeeper - and she's a Matilda - I don't think that's the right way of dealing with the situation," he told reporters.

"... (Micah's) OK. She was a little bit shaken. When someone starts throwing bottles at you, obviously it's not nice.

"This game is televised to America, to China and some other countries and for that to be seen overseas, it just doesn't paint a good picture."

Victory fans slammed by coach for ‘unacceptable’ behaviour

Victory counterpart Jeff Hopkins slammed the "unacceptable" behaviour.

"Hopefully we'll deal with that as a club and make sure that doesn't happen again. It's not a good look at all," Hopkins said.

Professional Footballers Australia condemned the incident and welcomed the league's commitment to a full investigation.

"The players, like all workers, have a basic right to safely undertake their profession," PFA co-chief executive Kathryn Gill said.

"Clearly today that was not the case and we are relieved no-one was injured."

The game itself was a goal-filled thriller with Micah making multiple superb saves.

City's fringe Matilda Alex Chidiac scored in the 22nd minute, with Victory defender Claudia Bunge handing City another with an own goal three minutes later.

But two spectacular goals - a 47th-minute free kick from MelindaJ Barbieri and Catherine Zimmerman's long-range belter in the 51st drew Victory level.

Chidiac then slipped a ball through for City teammate Harriet Withers to score the winner in the 86th minute.

Victory's Lisa De Vanna (hamstring) missed the clash, while City defender Jenna McCormick was forced off in the second-half with a head knock.

Later on Sunday evening, Newcastle and Brisbane rounded out the weekend's action with a 1-1 draw.

Tara Andrews headed Newcastle to the lead in the 16th minute before Matildas winger Emily Gielnik equalised with her first goal of the season in the 54th.

Earlier in the round, Mackenzie Hawksby and Ellie Brush scored as Sydney FC took outright top spot by beating Western Sydney 2-0 on Saturday.

On Thursday, Emily Condon scored the winner as Adelaide beat Perth 2-1.

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