THE AFL has issued banning notices to three fans involved in an ugly post-match fight at the season-opening clash between Richmond and Carlton at the MCG last week.
They are banned from attending any AFL match for the next three years at all AFL venues across the country, starting from Thursday, March 28, 2019.
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The three patrons were also charged with affray on Wednesday.
The Age also reported this week that the 19-year-old Tigers fan who punched multiple people during the incident played at the same football club as Patrick Cronin, the Melbourne teenager killed by a one-punch attack three years ago.
This is the incident that took place on the final siren during last night's season opener at the MCG.
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) March 21, 2019
Details on @AFLcomau shortly. pic.twitter.com/QrrgPc6Ut4
"Almost 400,000 fans attended the football last week, we will not let the actions of a few ruin it," AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon said.
"The league, our venues and our clubs endeavor to create safe and welcoming environments. This type of behavior will not be tolerated at our matches.
"We want fans to continue to go to the footy and enjoy the experience and do so responsibly."
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The three fans face being evicted and potentially longer bans if they are spotted at any match in the next three years.
The AFL shares this information with its partner venues in order to take reasonable steps to enforce the ban.
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This penalty comes on the back of Richmond suspending a club member for two years after an AFL investigation uncovered the individual responsible for racist taunts towards West Coast's Liam Ryan on social media.