Bottle thrower banned for two years
Fan who threw bottle at umpires receives two-year ban
THE CARLTON supporter who threw a plastic bottle at the umpires after the Blues' loss to Hawthorn in round 12 has been banned from attending events at Etihad Stadium for two years.
The 36-year-old western suburbs man has also been fined $282 by Victoria Police.
Police were asked to investigate after a half-full soft drink bottle was thrown from the third level of the stadium and landed in the vicinity of the umpires as they left the arena at the end of the game.
A number of people who had been sitting in the vicinity of the man who threw the bottle were interviewed, and some came forward with mobile phone footage, which helped police to identify the offender.
The man then contacted Carlton, expressed remorse for his actions and relinquished his club membership.
Etihad Stadium chief executive Paul Sergeant said that while police said the offender had acted out of character, his actions were potentially very dangerous.
"As stadium managers we have a responsibility to monitor this type of behaviour, curb it and if necessary impose our own bans," he said.