Central United player Bradley Woodward receives life ban from Adelaide Footy League after being found guilty of racial vilification
A PLAYER has been banned for life from the Adelaide Footy League after being found guilty of racial vilification.
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A PLAYER has been banned for life from the Adelaide Footy League after being found guilty of racial vilification.
The league’s tribunal last night handed a four-game suspension to Central United’s Bradley Woodward for slurs towards an O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale player and official in a division seven match on June 16.
The ban brings Woodward past the league’s 12-game suspension threshold that leads to deregistration.
He has been suspended six times since 2012 – for a total of 15 matches – including three times for abusive language.
League chief executive John Kernahan said the competition had a zero-tolerance policy on racism.
“What was said is something that you never want to hear on the football field and something there is no place for in this league,” Kernahan said.
Woodward apologised to O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale after the game and pleaded guilty to the charge last night.
Central United had suspended Woodward internally for four weeks (two suspended) before last night’s tribunal hearing.
Kernahan credited the club for its response.
“Central United have acted well given the situation and this incident by the player should not be a reflection of them as a football club,” he said.
“We’ve no doubt Central United are disappointed but they have been a good league citizen for a few years now.
“I’m sure they’ll use this as an example to ensure their players are aware of Central United’s expectations let alone the league’s.”
O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale officials brought the matter to the league’s attention after the game.
Kernahan said the league was willing to work with players and clubs in racial vilification incidents, preferring mediation as a first option.
“But if a club or player has been offended and wishes to use the league’s resources, we will not deny them of that right,” he said.
O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale president Heidi Condon said her club felt compelled to ask for a league investigation.
“We’re a club that prides ourself on not standing for abuse or vilification in any shape or form,” Condon said.
“There is no room for it in the game or in society at all.”
Central United president Lauri Haronen would not comment.
Woodward was suspended for three games for abusive language towards an umpire in round six this year and for one match in 2014 for abusive language.
He can continue playing in another competition because he has not reached the 16-game threshold of football’s national deregistration policy that has been adopted by the SANFL and many country leagues.