The Socceroos' match against Serbia in Melbourne turned ugly last night when Serbian footy fans lit flares, smashed bottles and waved offensive banners amongst the crowd.

Police inspector Mick Beattie told Fairfax Radio that four people were arrested and seven were ejected from the stadium for bad behaviour and being drunk.

Beattie said the Serbian fans had argued that lighting flares was part of their viewing culture. 

His take on that was that it was pure idiocy, extremely dangerous and very lucky no-one got burnt or injured.

A banner had also been unfurled which supported the release of Mladic, who was arrested last month and indicted for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the 1992-95 Bosnian war.