An umpire has allegedly been attacked by fans in a brawl at a junior football grand final in Hoppers Crossing on Sunday afternoon.
Police say a brawl broke out at around 4.30pm on Sunday in the Western Region Football League u15 grand final between Point Cook and Albion, with an umpiring decision seemingly the catalyst for the brawl.
The umpire who was attacked called two consecutive 50-metre penalties late in the contest to Point Cook, who goaled from the free kick and went on to win the premiership.
Witnesses spoke to 3AW about the incident, with one person suggesting the umpire was fearing for his safety.
โWe saw that umpire run for his life,โ one witness told 3AW.
โI would have hate to see what happened if that umpire fell.โ
A Point Cook fan who was watching his son play in the match told the Herald Sunย club members were locked inside the team's change rooms as a precaution while police arrived.
โI didnโt see the incident with the umpire, however Point Cook players, coaches, helps and family members were put into lockdown by the managers, and police I think, in our change rooms,โ the man told the Herald Sun.
โThe presentation of medals and the cup was cancelled and took place in the change rooms.
โWe were given the all clear to leave the rooms and the ground about 40 minutes after the end of the game.
โI will say their coach (Albion) did come in and congratulate our coach, I thought that was excellent.
โIt was a bit scary not knowing if we could leave because people were waiting out the front for us. You donโt want to go through that to get out of a footy match.โ
