Rumours in the UK have linked Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund to the investors in control of A-League club Melbourne Victory.
Matildas defensive midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight has been sidelined from the national team after suffering a ruptured Achilles while training with Melbourne Victory,less than five months from the first Women’s World Cup match.
The heavy presence of police at Saturday night’s A-League derby between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City ensured there was no repeat of the ugly scenes that marred their meeting in December.
Victoria Police have promised “swift action” on any bad behaviour from soccer fans as Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City meet for the first time since last year’s pitch invasion.
The pride round will be held at the end of February in the men’s and women’s competitions despite similar events in other sports causing controversy.
Melbourne Victory shareholders have supported a proposal that allows a US private equity investor to own up to a 70 per cent stake in the soccer club within five years.
Steve Corica’s players have given the Sky Blues coach a reprieve from immediate danger with a terrific 2-1 come-from-behind win over Melbourne Victory.
A-Leagues players are planning a show of solidarity with First Nations people during Thursday’s double-header at AAMI Park as Sydney FC star Luke Brattan admitted he and some of his teammates feel uneasy with playing on Australia Day.
There will be a strong police presence at AAMI Park on Thursday as the fan group blamed for a violent pitch invasion at a Melbourne Victory match last year plans to return to the stadium.
Melbourne Victory says the club is committed to rebuilding its fan culture after heavy sanctions were handed down by Football Australia on Tuesday following last month’s derby pitch invasion.
The Melbourne derby pitch invasion was,and still is,a truly unthinkable incident - the sort of thing A-League fans once told themselves happens only overseas.