A troubling incident unfolded at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during an Australian Football League match, where two individuals managed to enter the stadium with loaded firearms. Despite the weapons being detected during initial screening, a critical lapse in follow-up procedures allowed the men to blend into the crowd of over 82,000 fans. Authorities confirmed that the pair were later arrested after refusing to leave the premises due to unruly behavior.
The alarming breach has sparked concerns over stadium safety protocols, especially given the visibility of such a high-profile sporting event between Collingwood and Carlton. Police arrested the two men—21-year-old Omar Salman and 27-year-old Mohamad Noori—on charges related to firearm possession. Noori, as reported, had a history of legal troubles, including multiple outstanding warrants and active court cases. At the time of this incident, both men were already out on bail. They have now been denied bail pending a court hearing scheduled for April 16.
Authorities revealed that while the weapons were flagged by electronic screening systems at the entrance, security personnel failed to carry out proper manual inspections. This gap in procedure ultimately allowed the firearms to slip past checkpoints, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of stadium security measures. In response, the MCG’s management has pledged to strengthen its secondary security checks, warning patrons to expect longer entry delays at future events.
MCG CEO Stuart Fox expressed deep disappointment over the failure in protocol and assured the public that immediate steps would be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring. Similarly, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon labeled the breach “extremely disappointing” and reaffirmed the league’s commitment to fan safety. He announced that both individuals involved would face lifetime bans from all AFL events.
As investigations continue, this unsettling episode has reignited discussions around public safety at major venues, particularly in light of the vast number of fans who attend AFL games each season. The MCG, Victoria Police, and the AFL are now working closely to reassess and reinforce security operations to ensure that stadiums remain safe spaces for all.