AFL fines Richmond for umpire abuse

Updated June 15, 2012 17:39:26

The AFL has fined Richmond $5000 for an incident where a Tigers trainer approached and made offensive comments to a field umpire at the end of last week's game with Fremantle at the MCG.

The league's general manager of football operations Adrian Anderson said the AFL had written to the club earlier this week, after the match-day umpires compiled a report detailing the trainer's post-match comments.

Richmond responded to the league on Thursday, and the AFL had chosen to sanction the club, also citing a recent incident in which Tigers coach Damien Hardwick had approached umpires during a game.

"All match-day staff are required to adhere to a clear set of guidelines in relation to their conduct towards umpires," Anderson said in the statement.

"It is important that the AFL continues to take a zero tolerance approach in dealing with umpire abuse as a negative match day environment is still the primary factor impacting on the recruitment and retention of umpires in community football across Australia."

The statement did not say which umpire was approached by the Richmond trainer, however according to the AFL's match report the three umpires on duty for the game were Chris Donlon, Justin Schmitt and Jacob Mollison.

The game, which was played last Saturday afternoon, was won by the Dockers by 12.6 (78) to 9.12 (66).

The free-kick count for the game was 24 to Fremantle, 17 to Richmond.

Meanwhile two Carlton players have apologised to the AFL after posting messages on Twitter critical of the umpiring in Thursday night's match between the Blues and West Coast in Perth.

Defender Jeremy Laidler posted "Are you not meant to try and b 1st in at the footy anymore. If u do u will b pinned for holding the ball. SHOCKING!!!"

Murphy's message said: "Ruined a good game these blokes."

Both players were injured and did not play in the match, which Carlton lost by 10 points.

In a statement, the club said it had spoken to Laidler and Murphy and that both agreed the comments were unfortunate.

"The players admitted that the frustration of not playing and not being able to influence the game meant that they failed to fully consider how their tweets may be understood," the statement said.

Both players apologised to the AFL through the club.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted June 15, 2012 17:13:40

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Daw shaken by racial abuse

Updated June 5, 2011 14:29:00

North Melbourne's Sudanese-born rookie Majak Daw admits he was hurt after being the victim of racial abuse from a spectator during a VFL match at Port Melbourne on Saturday.

Daw was playing for the Kangaroos' VFL feeder team Werribee when the vilification occurred.

"It was quite a shock to me, that happening, but I suppose I can't control what other people are going to say," he said.

"All I've got to do is not dwell on it and move on."

The male spectator was ejected from the ground by police at half-time and faced further sanctions.

"It definitely did (hurt me)," Daw told the Nine Network.

"I was pretty flat in the first quarter and that carried on throughout the day and last night.

"But I'm feeling better now. I've had a lot of support from family, friends and the club, from Port Melbourne and Werribee and the VFL.

"And also through Twitter, I've had plenty of people writing comments and giving me their support.

"It's good to see that a lot of people don't accept what happened yesterday."

North Melbourne president James Brayshaw was appalled that Daw - who was yet to make his AFL debut - had been forced to endure racial abuse.

"I understand it was instantly dealt with and the person was ejected," Brayshaw said on the Nine Network.

"The police and the VFL are going to pursue that in the proper way.

"I thought with Jimmy Krakouer and Nicky Winmar and Michael Long, the stand those blokes took back in the 1980s has gotten rid of all of this.

"And we're now at 2011 and we don't have to deal with it any more.

"But maybe we've been asleep at the wheel a little bit. Maybe we need to get stronger with it."

Brayshaw said Daw, 20, was shaken by the incident.

"You should never have to put up with that," he said.

"To have to cop that at a VFL ground is a disgrace.

"I hope that person is dealt with in a strong fashion.

"I tend to swing towards a life (ban) but education is what it has got to be."

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted June 5, 2011 13:10:00

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Concern over alleged Franklin racial abuse

Updated April 19, 2011 15:49:00

Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination commissioner has expressed concern about allegations AFL star Lance Franklin was racially abused in Launceston last weekend.

Hawthorn says Franklin was subjected to a tirade of abuse from an unidentified man during the match against West Coast at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.

Hawthorn is determined to uncover the person who made the alleged comments, with Hawks chief Stuart Fox saying he was appalled at the news.

The club says it plans to have the person barred from future matches.

Commissioner Robin Banks says racism is not acceptable on or off the field.

"People are quite impassioned about their sport and they almost forget the norms of appropriate behaviour and conduct when their adrenaline is up," she said.

"[This] is why it needs to be addressed very strongly by the AFL and by everybody involved."

First posted April 19, 2011 15:36:00

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