Flinders University’s Liam Keogh receives seven-game kicking ban as Central United coach Alan Harvey also cops suspension
Coaches rarely receive footy bans. But one coach has received a four-game penalty for abusing an opposing player who’d kicked one of his team members. The kicker has copped a heavier ban.
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A player’s ban for kicking an opponent has soured Flinders University Football Club’s first win in almost two years.
In the club’s first tribunal visit in seven seasons, Flinders University’s Liam Keogh received a seven-game penalty (two matches suspended) on Wednesday night for an intentional kick to a Central United player’s leg on Saturday.
Umpires sent Keogh off during the fourth quarter of the division seven game at Flinders University Oval and Central United coach Alan Harvey abused him as he left the field.
The tribunal also found Harvey guilty of misconduct and handed him a four-game ban (two matches suspended), along with a $500 fine.
Crabs president Dean Schofield said the club addressed the matter before the hearing via its grievance officer, which it appointed last year.
“We put our foot on top of it as soon as we possibly could because it’s the first time we’ve been to the tribunal in seven years,” Schofield said.
“He’s a young player – it’s his first year of footy – and he’s still learning.
“We’ve addressed it already and the league has sanctioned him, and now we move forward.”
League chief executive John Kernahan said coaches and club officials were expected to set an example “and entering into any interaction with an opposition player is not one of them”.
“Our position on an official embroiling themselves with opposition players is not tolerated, no matter how offended they may be at an opposition player’s behaviour,” Kernahan said.
“The league has processes to deal with these matters through a tribunal, just as we do for coaches or officials who choose to impose themselves on what is already an inflammatory situation as coach Alan Harvey has discovered.”
Flinders University ended a losing streak dating back to August 5, 2017 with the 34-point victory over Central United.
Central United officials would not comment.