On- field spectator violence at the Moni Plus Port Moresby AFL 2023 Cup’s Senior Men’s grand final match over the weekend resulted in the match being called off when things got really out of hand with police called in disperse the rowdy crowd.
It was after the half time when the incident started, the match went on as normal with some intensity shown by the Gereka Bombers and the Gordons Kokofas.
The match was going well, and the fans were all into it supporting their clubs but whenever the Kokofas boys ended up on the end of the field where the Bombers supporters were sitting, a hail of abusive comments were being hurled at them.
From time-to-time small exchanges were made between the fans and the players on the field of play but nothing major at first.
It was almost to the end of the third quarter when a few Gordons players were at the sideline next to the Bombers fans, some of whom were under the influence of alcohol.
Some exchanges were made between some fans and even with some Bombers players that led to some push and shove.
This then led to the Kokofas fans rushing onto the field from across the other side where they were at.
Armed with sticks, plastic water bottles and other objects in hand, ran right to the center of the clash, putting everything into chaos.
The fight broke out and some fans had to run for their lives, either by foot or in their vehicles.
Others started attacking each other, running onto the field of play and across to the Gordons side to attack the fans on the other side.
Things escalated quickly and despite the calls from the match officials to stop the madness, the fans and even some of the players on both sides joined in.
Police had to intervene to stop it. A patrol vehicle with flashing lights and siren rushed onto the field from where it as parked at earlier to provide security during the match.
However, with just one police vehicle and a smaller number of officers on board, they were even unable to disperse the crowd as fighting broke out to different parts of the Colts Oval.
Police officers had to open fire into the air multiple times just to disperse the people.
By then, the Gereka supporters were cased by all the Gordons supporters.
Rocks, bottles, sticks and any object that can be held in hand and thrown were hurled at the poor retreating families on foot or in vehicles.
Things cooled down afterwards when police reinforcement arrived.
President of the Port Moresby AFL Association Mr. Douglas Lai, who was there in the middle of all the madness, said he was very disappointed with what had happed.
“What we’ll do now is to have a meeting in the coming days to decide on what actions and steps to take. It’s very unfortunate what had happened towards the end of the quarter,” a disappointed Mr. Lai stated.
Meanwhile, whatever the outcome of that meeting, will be made know hopefully by this week so fans can know whether to have a rematch or a tougher decision made to settle the match and a mutual agreement reached by everyone involved.