Footballer cops 10-game ban after umpire loses tooth in on-field clash

AN amateur footballer has been suspended for 10 weeks after knocking out an umpire’s tooth during a “reckless” on-field collision.

AN amateur footballer has been suspended for 10 weeks after knocking out an umpire’s tooth during a “reckless” on-field collision.

The Adelaide Football League’s tribunal last night found Eastern Park player Anton Railey guilty of making careless contact with an umpire during the fourth quarter of a division four game against Hectorville at Daly Oval on Saturday.

Eastern Park is planning to appeal the decision within 48 hours.

The tribunal banned Railey for 12 games, though two have been suspended.

It takes his career match bans to 11 games and leaves him on the brink of a league life ban.

The league bans players for life once they are banned for 12 or more matches.

League chief executive John Kernahan said umpires were sacrosanct.

“He’s copped the lower end of the penalty with respect to making contact with an umpire, only because it was considered reckless,” Kernahan said.

“Had it have been deliberate it would have been a lot more.”

Kernahan said Railey and the umpire slammed heads after a ball-up in the centre square.

The umpires then sent Railey off.

Kernahan confirmed the umpire involved in the clash with Railey lost a tooth.

Eastern Park officials would not comment on the incident, pending the possible appeal.

The decision comes less than two years after the league banned former Port Adelaide Power rookie Callum Hay for nine games for making contact with an umpire while playing for Salisbury North in a division one grand final replay.