MCG change rooms incident at Collingwood-Brisbane Lions match on Saturday night

Aug 22, 2011

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) wishes to clarify reports regarding an incident that occurred in the players’ change rooms at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday night at the Collingwood-Brisbane Lions match.

The club can confirm that two men gained unauthorised access to the Brisbane Lions rooms approximately one hour prior to the match. It is understood that one of the men was a former Brisbane Lions staff member, who brought a guest with him to the MCG.

Upon further investigation, it has become apparent that after entering the stadium at Gate 1, the two men were permitted access to the change rooms by Brisbane Lions officials.

Both men spent time in the rooms prior to the match and during the first half. Once alerted to the unauthorised entry, Brisbane officials notified MCG security management, who in turn engaged Victoria Police to remove the men.

One man was found to have a number of items on his possession in a bag, including a knife.  At no stage did the knife leave the man’s bag and it was not used in any way.

“Incidents like this reinforce the need to be constantly vigilant when it comes to access arrangements in all areas of the stadium,” said MCC CEO Stephen Gough.

“We will review our access procedures and also work with the AFL and its clubs to ensure only authorised personnel gain access to the team change rooms in future.”

The MCC will not be making any further comment on this matter.

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