NRL fans will be treated like soccer hooligans if the game doesn't stamp out shocking brawls, Aussie sporting great warns
- Ex-Premier League star slammed NRL fans' behaviour
- Follows string of incidents at footy matches in recent weeks
- NRL could be forced to segregate fans like the A-League
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater has warned NRL fans will be treated like football hooligans in Europe and segregated at fixtures if the game doesn't stamp out shocking brawls between spectators.
It follows supporters brawling at Allianz Stadium during the Rabbitohs and Roosters clash on March 22 - with fans from the same two Sydney clubs fighting at Brookvale Oval almost a week earlier.
That followed a violent clash at the NRL season opener in Las Vegas earlier this month, where a Sea Eagles fan left Allegiant Stadium worse for wear following a messy brawl in the stands.
In 2022, another footy fan who attended the Broncos versus Bulldogs Anzac round game was bashed in the stands, allegedly because he was yelling during the moment of silence held before kickoff.
Additionally, ex-NRL star Owen Cunningham feared his son could have 'ended up in a coma' after being involved in a brawl at Suncorp Stadium that marred Magic Round the same year.
![A man in a grey shirt was seen hitting the fan](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/27/00/81978475-13242681-A_man_in_a_grey_shirt_was_seen_hitting_the_fan-a-41_1711500407703.jpg)
![A Manly fan was left bloodied while watching his side play in Las Vegas](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/27/00/81976833-13242681-A_Manly_fan_was_left_bloodied_while_watching_his_side_play_in_La-a-42_1711500407946.jpg)
A Sea Eagles fan (right) was left bloodied while watching his side play in Las Vegas at the season-opening double header earlier this month
![Former Socceroos star Robbie Slater has warned NRL fans will be treated like football hooligans if the game doesn't stamp out brawls among spectators](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/27/01/82933063-13242681-Former_Socceroos_star_Robbie_Slater_has_warned_NRL_fans_will_be_-a-15_1711501459774.jpg)
Former Socceroos star Robbie Slater has warned NRL fans will be treated like football hooligans if the game doesn't stamp out brawls among spectators
![The A-League game between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in December 2022 was abandoned after fans stormed the pitch and hooligans climbed the goal posts (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/27/00/65680943-13242681-The_game_was_suspended_after_Victory_fans_stormed_the_pitch_and_-a-35_1711500159751.jpg)
The A-League game between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in December 2022 was abandoned after fans stormed the pitch and hooligans climbed the goal posts (pictured)
Slater said if the fighting - which often fuelled by alcohol - doesn't stop, fans will turn away from the NRL in droves.
'If rugby league thinks segregation can't and won't happen, they only need to look at soccer because there's segregation in the A-League,' he told News Corp.
'I'm a league fan but if you don't stop it [fan fighting] then you will start losing fans.
'The NRL needs to nip it in the bud and hand out long-term bans, like soccer has done, for damaging the game's image.
'Rugby league is on an amazing upward curve in respect to crowds. There has never been more interest in the game but I know first-hand through the A-League that sponsors will pull out if crowd violence continues.'
Slater's call for bans follows the pitch invasion by fans at AAMI Park when Melbourne Victory played Melbourne City in December 2022.
Goalkeeper Tom Glover was hit in the head with a metal bucket in horrific scenes, and the match was abandoned due to the violence.
A number of supporters who stormed the field were later charged and issued life bans from the sport.
NSW Police are continuing to investigate vision from Allianz Stadium and have appealed to the general public to get in contact to identify the alleged offenders.