Woman and boy burnt by flare at A-League match at Etihad Stadium A WOMAN and boy were burnt with a marine flare at last night's A-League soccer. The pair were hurt during the Melbourne Victory-Brisbane Roar game at Etihad Stadium. Police are concerned at an increase in the use of flares at major soccer fixtures this season. A woman aged in her 20s and a 12-year-old boy were injured when the flares were let off in the second half. Two teenage boys have been arrested. Marine flares generate extreme heat and have been linked to deaths overseas. North West Metro Commander Rick Nugent said: "The increased criminality we are seeing at the soccer this season is completely unacceptable." Last season, there were eight instances where flares were let off. Since the first match on October 10 this season, we've already seen 38 flares let off and approximately 200 chairs broken. This is not acceptable. Commander Nugent said flares could burn at 1000C. He said police had been working with Football Federation Australia, the stadiums, clubs and security, but it was clear more needed to be done. "There were approximately 22,000 people in attendance last night, and while we know that the majority of people are well behaved, there are a certain group of individuals within the active supportive groups who go to matches with an alternative motive," Commander Nugent said. The troublemakers are not there to watch the match; they attend to engage in criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.