More details have emerged about the crowd incident at last Saturday night's Throwdown that left several young fans in tears.
Crosscourt has been told two men dressed in Melbourne United fanwear allegedly used foul language and directed vulgar abuse at South East Melbourne players within earshot of several families seated nearby.
The men then allegedly turned on a woman when she asked them to stop, before another man came to her defence.
A witness who was at the game said after an "extremely-heated" verbal exchange, the two parties were initially separated, before the man removed one of the United fan’s hats and threw it behind the team’s bench.
Crosscourt understands one of John Cain Arena’s most-experienced security officers quickly took action, defusing the situation and removing the two men from the arena.
“It was back and forth for a while until security came down to separate them,” one witness in the crowd of 5651 told Crosscourt.
“It was good timing, because it was getting testy.
“There were families around and it would have been scary for them.”
Saturday’s Throwdown was marred by a crowd incident. Picture: Getty Images
Saturday’s Throwdown was marred by a crowd incident. Picture: Getty Images
Venue staff gave the distressed children some confectionary to help settle them and the Phoenix gifted them some new merchandise.
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A Melbourne United spokesman said the matter was considered closed and no further action would be taken.
A Phoenix spokesman said the club was disappointed to see members impacted.
“It was disappointing to see some of our fans distressed, especially the children,” the spokesman said.
“Venue security acted swiftly and the patrons were ejected quickly.”
Tensions on the court simmered throughout, with physical play and verbal stoushes in the 78-72 Phoenix win — but it never got out of hand.
Incidents like this are extremely rare at NBL games, where clubs have worked hard to cultivate a family atmosphere.
Props to JCA security for acting quickly to avoid further escalation.
