Brisbane’s star signing Marco Rojas scored a double in a 3-2 upset win over his former A-League Men club Melbourne Victory as the Roar’s supporter group, The Den, staged a walkout at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
The Den exited the arena in the 25th minute – soon after Rojas had scored the opener – in protest after fans had altercations with the police on the way in.
Fan footage showed Queensland Police officers appearing to push young supporters, with Twitter users claiming they were shoved ‘for chanting songs’.
‘Well I for one feel much safer knowing the cops are yelling at teenagers for chanting songs,’ said a second fan.
‘Hope that cops really proud of himself having a go at a teenager for singing songs.’ added another.
Brisbane Roar fans staged a mass walkout during their match on Sunday after alleging police manhandled them for no good reason
A fourth fan posted: ‘The treatment of young football fans at @brisbaneroar today was nothing short of disgraceful.
‘Kids being shoved around just for chanting and singing. When I said to a police officer that ‘it’s just kids enjoying football’ she yelled that people like me are the problem.’
A spokesperson for Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Police issued a 17-year-old boy and a 27-year-old man with move on directions following alleged anti-social behaviour at Milton this afternoon, March 3.
‘It will be alleged the duo were part of a large group of spectators engaging in anti-social behaviour and ignoring directions from security personnel prior to the commencement of a nearby sporting event.
‘Investigations are continuing, and anyone with relevant CCTV or mobile phone vision is urged to contact police.
‘In a separate incident, a 16-year-old boy was arrested for disorderly behaviour in Milton this afternoon after allegedly igniting a flare and is being dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
‘Overall, however, police were mostly satisfied with crowd behaviour at this afternoon’s event.
‘The Queensland Police Service is committed to keeping spectators safe and will always ensure a strong police presence prior to, during, and after sporting events.’
Veteran Rojas, in his first starting game for the Roar, scored his maiden goal for the club with a composed, looping header after a shot by 18-year-old Thomas Waddingham was deflected by Victory goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
Victory’s Zinedine Machach equalised with a cracker, producing a scything run down the left and letting rip just inside the box with a shot that gave Roar goalie Macklin Freke no chance.
Rojas’s second goal was pure class as he unfurled a diving header at the far post after an inch-perfect pass by Keegan Jelacic in the 56th minute.
He was substituted not long afterwards but an alert Waddingham stepped up to tap home after a shot from Henry Hore was deflected by Izzo.
Roar acting head coach Ruben Zadkovich said it was ‘scary’ how much more Rojas had to offer.
Fans were unhappy with their treatment by Queensland Police before kick off
The Roar went on to beat Melbourne Victory 3-2 at Suncorp Stadium (pictured left, Marco Walen celebrates after scoring for Brisbane)
‘I thought he was good in some moments and I thought he has still got a lot to improve,’ Zadkovich said.
‘He has been out of the game a long while. But in the last few weeks he has really started to turn the screws at training.’
Journeyman Roly Bonevacia gave the Victory a sniff when he came off the bench and scored in the 86th minute with a precision strike on his club debut.
The Roar remain in the finals hunt on 25 points. They are three points behind sixth-placed Western Sydney but have played an extra game.
Victory are fourth and never got going against the Roar in hot and humid conditions.
‘It was difficult conditions,’ said Victory coach Tony Popovic, ‘but today was a poor defensive effort from us.
Fans took to social media to criticise Queensland Police’s handling of the situation
‘We scored two goals but I can’t remember us conceding three soft goals like that this year.’
Rojas was the star of the afternoon, with his composure and silky touches on the ball pivotal.
There was high drama in the sultry condition when a group of 30 to 40 supporters who sit in The Den seats at the northern end of the stadium left.
Video of a push and shove by fans with police was earlier posted on social media site X. A police officer can be heard to say ‘that sort of behaviour will not be tolerated’.
Zadkovich was unaware of The Den’s exit.
‘It is the first I have heard of it but our fans are fantastic and their support is exactly what we need here at home,’ he said.
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