Man accused of throwing bottle at AFL goalkeeper challenged CCTV

The man accused of assaulting an AFL goal umpire raised concerns about his identity after appearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

Alexander Grutteria has been charged with recklessly causing injury, throwing a missile and unlawful assault after he allegedly threw a half-full water bottle at AFL goal umpire Steven Piperno during the Carlton-St Kilda match at Marvel Stadium on August 25.

Piperno was left with a two centimeter laceration to his head, was treated by the Carlton club doctor and was removed from the game as he was unable to continue refereeing the game.

Police said Grutteria was sitting next to the Carlton cheering squad and left immediately after the bottle was thrown.

The television broadcast of the match showed the referee being hit by the bottle and sustaining injuries, but no footage was shown of who threw the bottle.

Police used CCTV to identify Grutteria and released footage of the stadium.

Lawyer Sylvia Barbadonis, on behalf of Grutteria, requested an administrative adjournment as she intended to raise concerns about her client being identified on CCTV from the game and the failure to prove he threw the bottle.

When the judge asked if he had any problems identifying his client, who appeared in court in a black suit and black shirt, as the person who threw the bottle, Barbadonis said he did.