UMPIRES boss Wayne Campbell said it was disappointing some sections of the crowd booed as injured umpire Troy Pannell was stretchered from the ground with concussion during Friday night's clash between Essendon and the Sydney Swans.

However he praised the assistance club medical staff gave to umpire Pannell after he went down and said it was reassuring that those booing were in the small minority.

Campbell told AFL.com.au that umpires understood banter was part of the game, but booing someone being carried from the ground with an injury went beyond that.

"It was disrespectful to someone going about their business," Campbell said.

"Their (umpires) job is to service the game – it's a very small part of the game but part of the game is to make sure it runs smoothly. Unfortunately [Pannell] was caught in the line of fire so to hear that [was] disappointing."

Essendon's Michael Hibberd went to Twitter showed his disregard for those who booed and Campbell said such action was appreciated.

"A small minority of the crowd have to ask themselves if they're proud of themselves this morning for acting that way," Campbell said.

He emphasised however that both clubs' response to the incident had been fantastic and most of the crowd had behaved as expected with polite applause.

"The positive was the support he [Pannell] got from other people in terms of the medical staff on the ground. They went above and beyond," Campbell said.

He reserved special praise for Essendon club doctor Bruce Reid.

Pannell was knocked out after an accidental clash of heads with Sydney Swans' defender Nick Malceski. He was treated on the ground and diagnosed with concussion in the rooms.

Pannell's parents were able to drive him from the ground and Campbell said that the umpire had slept well, and despite feeling "a little woozy" was OK.

He is recovering at home and will be monitored during the week.