The AFL today announced its decision to impose sanctions on Collingwood’s Michael Malthouse and Paul Licuria and St Kilda’s Stephen Milne, following an incident at quarter time of Friday’s Round three match played at Etihad Stadium.
AFL General Manager Football Operation Adrian Anderson said the AFL had conducted an investigation today, interviewing players and officials from both clubs, and said Malthouse, Licuria and Milne had each been found guilty of engaging in aggressive or threatening conduct under AFL Player Rule 29.1. Michael Malthouse was sanctioned $7,500 and Paul Licuria and Stephen Milne were both sanctioned $3000.
Mr Anderson said Michael Malthouse used language towards Milne that was highly offensive and it is unacceptable for a senior coach to insult opposition players during game breaks.
“This conduct creates a volatile situation on the ground that could easily get out of hand. This is not the right example to set for coaches at community level. Michael recognises his conduct was wrong and his public apology to Milne was taken into account in his favour in determining his sanction.
“Licuria used threatening language towards Milne in the incident. His conduct had the potential to seriously escalate the situation. He recognises that this was totally inappropriate for someone in his role.
“Milne was aggressive and insulting to both Malthouse and Licuria. Milne used language towards Licuria that was homophobic and unacceptable. Milne’s public apology was also taken into account in his favour in determining sanction.”
AFL Player Rule 29.1 reads as follows:
29.1 Prohibited Conduct
No person subject to these Rules shall act in a threatening or aggressive manner towards any other person or an Umpire on or about the Arena:-
(i) prior to;
(ii) during (including the quarter time, half time and three quarter time interval); or
(iii) following the completion of, a Match.
29.2 Causing Another Person to Engage in Prohibited Conduct
No person subject to these Rules shall act in any way calculated to or which might otherwise have the effect of causing another person on or about the Arena to act in a threatening or aggressive manner towards such person:-
(i) prior to;
(ii) during (including the quarter time, half time and three quarter time interval); or
(iii) following the completion of, a Match.
29.4 Contravention of Rule
In any case where the General Manager - Football Operations or his nominee alleges that a person has acted in contravention of this Rule, the General Manager - Football Operations or his nominee may deal with such person as he in his absolute discretion deems fit and without limiting his discretion he may:
(a) refer the matter to the Tribunal;
(b) conduct his own inquiry into the matter; and/or
(c) impose a monetary sanction up to a maximum of 10 Units.
Ends
