Social media storm - Moe player cited over umpire ‘abuse’

AN ABUSIVE social media post, placed on the Gippsland League’s own Facebook page last week, accusing umpires of intentional bias while also making a sexual reference, is threatening to derail preparations for the showcase weeks of the competition.

Joining a discussion about Leongatha’s five-goal win over Moe, in the Gippsland League’s Qualifying Final at Wonthaggi on Saturday, September 2, a Moe player has responded to a jibe from a former Hill End teammate.

“Told you, ya wouldn’t beat them come finals time,” said the former Hill End player.

The Moe player directed the following comment back: “South Gippsland umpires want to get off there dicks, it would have been an even game. Pretty embarrassing and disappointing that umpires can be so one (1) sided especially in finals.”

A week later, the same Moe player has posted an apology under the original post by the now Neerim South player saying: “Sorry for what I posted on here on Saturday night, Gippsland League, silly mistake on my behalf.”

His comment received a sobering rebuke from another contributor to the Gippsland League Facebook page: “Time for you to grow up buddy.”

The incident, which is a breach of the AFL’s social media policy (2013), was reported to the league by the South Gippsland Umpires Association (SGUA) whose panel members were officiating in the game, and the player in question was cited.

The Gippsland League has responded to a request for information:

“A player was handed a notice of breach due to breaches of the Member protection code and AFL social media policy (2013) as listed in the National Community Handbook,” said a spokesperson for the Gippsland League.

“The Board handed the player a base sanction of a one-match ban, fine and the club was placed with a suspended fine pending any future breaches of the social media policy. The Player accepted an early guilty plea which included issuing a public apology to SGUA, a written apology to SGUA and the above noted fines.

“All details for this breach are taken from the AFL National Community Handbook as an affiliate of AFL Victoria.”

However, the player in question played for Moe last Sunday, during the Lions’ thrilling come-from-behind win over Traralgon at Maffra, reportedly leaving the SGUA unhappy with the apparent sanction.

The league has clarified the penalty handed down as a result of an early guilty plea and player apology, with the player avoiding the one-match ban.

“The Player accepted an early guilty plea which included issuing a public apology to SGUA, a written apology to SGUA and the fine and the club was placed with a suspended fine pending any future breaches of the social media policy.”

After reports that SGUA officials had sought a minimum of a one-match ban for the breach, or failing that, they would withdraw services from games involving the accused Moe player, the Sentinel-Times contacted Director of SGUA Umpiring Gary Scholz.

He declined to comment at this stage while the panel is awaiting a response from the league.

But they are known to be extremely unhappy with the sanction applied.

Whether they will ultimately withdraw their services or appeal the board’s decision is unknown.

Under Section 12.5 Prohibited conduct on Social Media:

When using Social Media, a Person must not:

(a) post or engage with (e.g. like, comment on, share, forward) material that is offensive, obscene, disparaging, defamatory, threatening, harassment, bullying, discriminatory, homophobic, hateful, racist, sexist, infringes copyright, constitutes a contempt of court, breaches a court suppression order, or is otherwise unlawful;

(b) talk negatively about a Controlling Body, its employees, its competitors, corporate partners, broadcast partners, sponsors, or customers/fans or any other related organisation…

Under the ‘Set Penalty Schedule’ using abusive, insulting, or obscene language towards or in relation to an umpire attracts a set penalty of two matches if the player is found guilty.

With an 88-member panel, and both a strong recruitment performance, and promotion history, which includes former alumni Matt Stevic (449 AFL games, 10 grand finals); the South Gippsland Umpires Association is one of the strongest and most successful such organisations in country Victoria.