Former AFL star and two-time premiership winner Glenn Archer has been charged with unlawful assault after an alleged incident at a junior football game at the weekend.
Police said they were called to an incident at an oval in Heidelberg at 3.55pm on Sunday after reports a runner had been assaulted by a spectator.
More AFL Real Footy Videos
- Video duration
- 02:30
Glenn Archer apologises for junior footy ...
Glenn Archer apologises for junior footy scuffle
The former AFL star and two-time premiership winner says his conduct was "inappropriate and unacceptable". Courtesy 1116 SEN, Garry, Tim & Hamish.
Up Next
Riewoldt denied certain major
- Video duration
- 00:25
- Video duration
- 00:25
Riewoldt denied certain major
Riewoldt denied certain major
Nick Riewoldt looked destined to kick another six points but the Suns' Jack Leslie had other ideas.
Up Next
Saints return to top eight
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Saints return to top eight
Saints return to top eight
St Kilda are back inside the top eight after a sluggish 32-point win over Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium.
Up Next
AFL plays of round 14
- Video duration
- 01:39
- Video duration
- 01:39
AFL plays of round 14
AFL plays of round 14
Hawk Mitchell helps ground the Crows, Swan Mills takes a ripper defensive grab, Roo Higgins does a 'Charlie Dixon', Dees break a western hoodoo and the final touch from Docker Walters delivers ecstasy for Chris Scott .
Up Next
Richmond continue dominance of Carlton
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Richmond continue dominance of Carlton
Richmond continue dominance of Carlton
Richmond have continued their dominance of Carlton, sealing a sixth straight win over the Blues.
Up Next
Sea Eagles too good for Sharks
- Video duration
- 01:28
- Video duration
- 01:28
Sea Eagles too good for Sharks
Sea Eagles too good for Sharks
There was no second-half turnaround for the Sharks this week as the Sea Eagles leapfrog them on the ladder.
Up Next
Frantic finish from Fremantle
- Video duration
- 00:45
- Video duration
- 00:45
Frantic finish from Fremantle
Frantic finish from Fremantle
The Dockers gave it their all in the final 30 seconds against Geelong to set up a frantic finish decided in the final kick of the game.
Glenn Archer apologises for junior footy scuffle
The former AFL star and two-time premiership winner says his conduct was "inappropriate and unacceptable". Courtesy 1116 SEN, Garry, Tim & Hamish.
Archer has admitted he was involved in the incident, but has denied assaulting anyone.
In a statement released on Monday by the North Melbourne Football Club, of which Archer remains a board member, the former player said he was full of regret.
"I would like to apologise unreservedly for my involvement in what transpired at a junior football match in Heidelberg on Sunday," Archer said.
"Jumping the fence to defend a player was inappropriate and unacceptable."
For its part, the club stated it believed "that under no circumstances is it appropriate for parents or spectators to enter the field of play or get involved in on-field matters – a view reinforced by Glenn today in his public comments and in his conversations with the club".
The club said it would await the outcome of police investigations before determining any action on the matter.
The 44-year-old retired North Melbourne player was watching his son play for Park Orchards Under 15s against Banyule in the Yarra Junior Football League when a fight erupted between two players on field.
Archer told radio station SEN on Monday morning that a boundary umpire, who was also the parent of an opposition player, grabbed a Banyule player before pushing off another player with his forearm.
Archer then jumped the fence and ran onto the oval.
Minutes later, Archer said, the opposition's coaching staff and their runner began "screaming and swearing" at him.
Archer said he pushed the runner after the man got in his "personal space".
"I walked close to the fence to let him know the context of what happened," Archer said.
"I was trying to tell him the umpire hit the player. He [the runner] hit me in the face, I fended him off and it turned into a screaming match.
"I thought 'no one will defuse this situation', so I got into the car and headed home."
Police said the victim, a 47-year-old Montmorency man, sustained minor injuries which did not require any medical treatment.
Archer has been bailed to appear in the Heidelberg Magistrates Court on September 1.
AFL Victoria said it had zero tolerance of antisocial behaviour but that it was up to region commissions and metropolitan leagues to enforce their own code of conduct policies outlining appropriate behaviour of spectators.
It said all leagues have investigation and tribunal procedures in place which are followed if an incident that breaches the league's code of conduct policy is reported.
The Yarra Junior Football League said it was also investigating the matter.
- with Jon Pierik