The AFL has told all clubs and coaches of the competition’s stance to crack down on disrespect towards umpires.
All club general managers and senior coaches were today issued a memo that outlined the AFL’s desire to improve on its 2021 standards, as well its bid to change the behaviour shown to umpires across all formats of the sport.
READ MORE: Michael Masi axing ‘harsh’ says Red Bull F1 boss
READ MORE: Golf turns on ‘egotistical’, ‘greedy’ legend Phil Mickelson
READ MORE: Kyrgios a ‘clown’, ‘idiot’, says Australian Open doubles rival
In a statement released tonight, the AFL said its review of the 2021 season “identified a number of instances where the AFL community fell short” in response to “demonstrating respect towards umpires”.
A lengthy list of when umpires can penalise players with a free kick for abuse was included as part of the memo issued to all clubs.
The 2021 AFL season famously saw GWS star Toby Greene rubbed out for six weeks after he bumped an umpire during the finals series.
“While the AFL appreciates the enormous sacrifices clubs have made and continue to make over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the league reminds everyone within the game that they have a responsibility to demonstrate respect and sportsmanship towards each other at all times,” AFL general manager Andrew Dillion said.
“As part of the review of the 2021 season, we identified a number of instances where the AFL community fell short of those standards when it came to demonstrating respect towards umpires.
“The AFL and its clubs have a unique leadership role in the community, and with that role comes responsibility. Disrespect towards umpires is an issue at all levels of football and has no place.
“We are 6000 umpires short at the community football level and it is incumbent on us to set the right example at the elite level so we can encourage and retain umpires across the country to best support the rapidly growing player participation base.”
What the AFL has outlined under rules 18.8.2 Free Kicks – Umpires:
“A field umpire shall award a free kick against a player or official who:
(a) uses abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language towards an umpire;
(b) behaves in an abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene manner towards an umpire;
(c) intentionally, unreasonably or carelessly makes contact with an umpire;
(d) disputes a decision of an umpire;
(e) fails to follow the instruction of an umpire; or
(f) intentionally or carelessly engages in conduct which affects, interferes with or prevents an umpire from performing their duties.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!