North Pines coach suspended, club fined after amateur football league investigation into umpire abuse
A SOUTH Australian football club faces being tossed out of the amateur league if it doesn’t pay a fine for umpire abuse and walking off during a final.
NORTH Pines Football Club will be tossed out of the amateur league if it does not pay a $2000 fine for bringing the game into disrepute.
The SA amateur league this week handed down the penalty and also banned Redbacks coach Farin Wanganeen for 12 months following an investigation into umpire abuse and intimidation at its division seven semi-final against Adelaide University last month.
If the fine is not paid by October 31, the league will refuse North Pines’ affiliation application for 2015.
The Parafield Gardens club walked off and forfeited the match at University Oval after three players were reported.
Every Redbacks player from that match has also received a four-game ban, suspended until the end of 2017.
As reported by Advertiser.com.au earlier this month, North Pines player Damian Rigney received a 32-week suspension for attempting to headbutt an umpire, threatening an umpire, racial vilification and umpire abuse during the final.
It is enough to spark an automatic competition life ban, which kicks in when any player is suspended for 12 matches.
Rigney, who played 30 league games for South Adelaide in 2001-02, has also exceeded the 16-game threshold of football’s national deregistration policy that has been adopted by the SANFL and many country or suburban leagues.
His teammate Kristian Newchurch was found guilty of umpire abuse but had his suspension reduced from six to four matches after displaying “exceptional conduct” at the tribunal.
It is the second time this season the amateur league has banned a coach for at least 12 months for failing to stop umpire abuse and intimidation.
In July, Smithfield under-18s coach Dean Martin was suspended for 18 months after Panthers players intimidated and abused umpires during a match against Broadview at Broadview Oval.
North Pines officials and Wanganeen are being sought for comment.
Amateur league chief executive John Kernahan would not comment.