"Security officials tried to physically stop me from doing so, placing a hand on my arm. Even though this was physically threatening to me, I ignored them and proceeded to check the bathroom.

"When I returned to my seat, I was surrounded by armed police and stadium security officials.

"One particular police officer screamed at me in front of the children. When I calmly asked a question about why we could not use that particular toilet, he said I was being argumentative. A stadium security official then ordered me to leave as, in his view, I was supposedly inciting the crowd.

"I was doing no such thing, but merely trying to ascertain the basis on which I was being evicted. I had taken a photo of the small throng of police and security and this agitated them."

Pic by Jaime Castaneda

He added: "Because I had sole care of the three children, I told them to get ready to leave. At this point, a police officer actually suggested that I should leave the children at the stadium by themselves, which appeared to me to be a total disregard for their welfare.

"Today, the police have attempted to characterise this as me being evicted from the game, but not the children, yet I should leave the children by themselves for the remainder of the game."

The incident has sparked a massive backlash on social media – with many other fans revealing similar encounters with security and police at A-League games – prompting the high level response from NSW Police.

"All three children were traumatised by this intimidation, but particularly my special needs daughter," said Carroll.

"While this is a horrid experience for my family and I, sadly too many football fans experience similar for no good reason.

"It is an issue in our game that too often there is over-zealous policing and security gets things horribly wrong when it comes to our sport.

"These matters need to be addressed by Football Federation Australia, the A-League clubs, their contracted security firms and police authorities as, more than anything, it is turning good, loyal supporters away from our sport.

"I am a responsible family man who approached yesterday’s game with my daughters and their friend with great anticipation, joy, and pride to see our team play so well."