Overenthusiastic soccer fans defying police forewarnings engaged in violent quarrels and set off flares in Melbourne ahead of last night’s match between Greece and Australia.

In a statement, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said is “disappointed” over the “anti-social” behaviour and condemned such actions and will impose five-year bans on those found to have ignited flares in Melbourne’s CBD.

“FFA reiterates its firm position. We do not want these people at football matches in Australia,” the statement read.

“FFA will work with Victoria Police to identify the offenders and impose mandatory bans of five years on those found to have ignited flares.”

A group of fans ignored the Victoria Police announcement throwing a flare onto an oncoming bus, which managed to avoid it. A number of flares were let off while fans were heading into Docklands for the match. Several fans of the Greek team are said to have gathered outside a restaurant on Russel Street chanting and waving their flags, blocking traffic at around 6.30 pm last night.

Meanwhile, according to Herald Sun and 3AW, many Greek fans engaged in abusive behaviour towards young Australian fans who reportedly were spat on and had their Australian flags destroyed.

The flares and chanting worsened after sticker Ioannis Maniatis scored the goal that marked Greece’s 2-1 win over the Socceroos from a 60 metre distance.

“They got a jump on us and we didn’t react well,” Australia’s Ange Postecoglou told Fox Sports.
“We were sucked into playing their game … giving away silly fouls. We lost our composure and it’s disappointing we didn’t have a better reaction.”

Watch Ari Charilaou’s video on twitter: