An Australian football fan is expected to undergo surgery on several horrible facial injuries after being attacked during the 1-1 draw of Western Sydney Wanderers against Auckland United on Saturday.
The New Zealand Herald reports that two people were arrested while eight other spectators were expelled from the Smart Media Smart stadium after tense confrontations broke out between series of supporters.
Images published online show sections of the crowd inside the singing stadium and moving aggressively, while certain objects have also been seen.
Stade and police security staff were seen trying to control the two fans sets during the match.
The hospital fan of the A-League was seated in the Eastern stand for the match, although he is not yet understood if his injuries are following this incident.
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A football fan was admitted to the hospital after being the victim of an assault in an A-League match
The man revealed online that he had broken his jaw in three places and needed surgery on the injury
The supporter, who says he is a “traveling football fan”, went to X to update social media users in his state.
He published several photos of himself at the Middlemore hospital and appeared in a good mood despite the painful injuries he had suffered. The fan added that he had broken his jaw in three places.
“Thank you for the support of every last days,” wrote the fan.
“My jaw is broken in 3 places and needs surgery tomorrow (Monday) to hope to repair it. From the club to fans who sent me messages. THANKS.’
A Western spokesman Sydney Wanderers said they were investigating the incident and had been in contact with the injured supporter.
“The club has been in direct contact with the supporter involved and is currently in conjunction with the local authorities and the stakeholders concerned to examine the question in depth,” said the football club.
“Western Sydney Wanderers undertake to ensure the safety and well-being of all supporters and we will continue to provide total support for the affected person.”
Auckland FC Managing Director Nick Becker also published a statement on the incident.
The fan has published several horrible photographs, showing the injuries he had suffered, before thanking social media users for their online support
“The Auckland FC is extremely disappointed to hear about one or two isolated incidents of anti -social behavior during the Saturday match involving the club and travel fans of Western Sydney Wanderers,” said Becker.
“Auckland FC has worked extremely hard to cultivate a positive and inclusive family atmosphere for the more than 200,000 football fans who have had an incredible season at the Go Media stadium. This includes our most passionate football fans, thousands of families and the beginners of Auckland, Wellington and beyond.
“This is the first time that we have had incidents involving an anti -social behavior of fans and it is something that we take very seriously. It does not represent our values or who we are as a club.
“We are working in close collaboration with the police and the Go Media Stadium team to see if lessons can be learned, in particular with regard to the way we manage travel fans, while seeking to identify and prohibit any person who is deemed responsible.”
The director of the Stade for the Body of Auckland Council events, Tataki, James Parkinson told the New Zealand Herald that they would investigate the crowd troubles.
“The isolated incidents of yesterday contrast strongly with an extremely positive and respectful behavior that we have seen from fans throughout this football season,” said Parkinson.
“We are going to review these incidents and work in close collaboration with Auckland FC to implement agreed changes so that the accent rightly returns to football and the family environment that fans have appreciated the whole season.”
The draw on Saturday means that Auckland remains at the top of the A-League table, ahead of Western United of five points, despite having won only one of its last five league matches.
Western Sydney remains undefeated in its last five games in A-League and is currently fourth in the scale, at the point level with Melbourne’s victory in fifth.