<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>341769</docID> <postdate>2025-04-04 11:01:50</postdate> <headline>Security check ‘breakdown’ blamed for MCG gun discovery</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-341770" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250315175355653803-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Two men have been charged with weapons offences after a concerning incident at the MCG. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Rachael Ward</strong> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>A "breakdown" in manual security screening at the MCG has been blamed for two men allegedly being caught with guns inside the stadium.</strong></p> <p>Victoria Police said the weapons were found on each of the men during a search about 8.30pm on Thursday, as a crowd of 82,058 fans watched Collingwood defeat Carlton.</p> <p>Officers were asked to get involved when the pair refused a request from security to leave the venue over their behaviour, the force said.</p> <p>Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive Stuart Fox said the incident was "extremely disappointing and upsetting".</p> <p>"Our security screening units identified items of concern and further investigation was required," he said in a statement.</p> <p>"Our initial internal investigation identified a breakdown in the thoroughness of the secondary and manual screening process."</p> <p>He said the "extensiveness" of manual security at the stadium will be increased, so fans can expect delays at upcoming events.</p> <p>AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said there would be an "end to end" security review.</p> <p>"The MCG worked to identify how the two men were able to enter the venue, which concluded that security personnel failed to do a thorough follow up search of the patrons after an alert from the entry point screening system," he said.</p> <p>"Both patrons who were arrested last night will be issued lifetime banning notices from the AFL for attending any match."</p> <p>Both men were on bail at the time.</p> <p>Roxburgh Park man Omar Salam, 21, faced court on Friday morning and he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on April 16.</p> <p>He wore a white T-shirt with a black Nike logo and listened closely to Magistrate Timothy Bourke during his brief court appearance.</p> <p>He was charged with being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, possessing ammunition without licence and committing an indictable offence while on bail.</p> <p>A 27-year-old man from Broadmeadows was charged with possessing an unregistered handgun, possessing ammunition without licence, altering the serial number of a firearm, possessing a loaded firearm, possessing a prohibited item and failing to appear on bail.</p> <p>He is due to face court later on Friday.</p> <p>Counter terrorism police were called to assess the incident but will have no further involvement, with the probe now in the hands of the crime investigation team.</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the officers involved in the search and described the incident as "pretty shocking".</p> <p>"Frankly, I hope that they get the book thrown at them for this and I do want to thank Victoria Police for their work in keeping people safe," he told ABC Radio Sydney.</p> <div class="wire-column__preview__text" id="preview-body"> <p>AFL Fans Association president Ron Issko was also shocked and said nothing like this had ever happened before.</p> <p>He said fans were subjected to several security measures including walking past detector pillars and individual security checks.</p> <p>"If they have to make some changes this weekend to security, fans will accommodate," Mr Issko told AAP.</p> <p>"I'll be going to the footy this weekend and I've got all the confidence in the security and the police at the footy."</p> <p>He said any security upgrades must be done urgently.</p> <p>"Ninety-nine per cent of fans are great. If we've got some ratbags let's get rid of them," he said.</p> <p>The MCG underwent a security upgrade in 2024 including the roll out of artificial intelligence sensors, called Evolv Express.</p> <p>"Evolv Express uses sensors combined with AI to differentiate between weapons and common metals people carry," according to the company's website.</p> </div> </body>