Three-match ban of Meningie player can be appealed by Jervois Football Club, would go to tribunal

A sickening incident during a country football game would go to tribunal only if the resulting three-game suspension is appealed by the end of today, the SANFL says.

The Sammy D Foundation has denounced the actions of a country footballer who threw a sickening punch during a River Murray Football League match.

A Meningie player was given a four-match ban last Monday after punching a Jervois player during a scuffle on Saturday, which was caught on video.

The suspension was shortened to three games after the player accepted the sanction with an early guilty plea.

“We wholeheartedly denounce the actions of those involved in this incident,” the foundation’s chief executive Brigid Koenig said.

“The Sammy D Foundation is working towards a future where incidents such as this no longer occur and all players and spectators can feel safe attending and playing community sport.”

She said the foundation would continue to educate players, parents and spectators around these types of behaviours.

“We want to take this opportunity to remind those involved in this incident of the important role that adults especially professional sporting men and women have as positive role models for impressionable young players,” she said.

“With our programs continuing to reach a wider audience, both here and interstate, we will continue to work to stop such incidents happening, so that young people can live a life free from violence.”

The Advertiser was told a match review panel made up of a SANFL football operations coordinator and representatives from the River Murray Football League considered all evidence provided, including the umpire’s report, and also considered AFL and SANFL offence guidelines before making the decision.

The matter did not go to tribunal but still could if Jervois deemed the penalty inadequate and appealed the decision, which they have until the end of Monday, April 4, to do per SANFL Community Football regulations.

The SANFL was satisfied with the evidence collected and did not believe the tribunal was needed to make its decision.

“Based on the available evidence including the umpire’s report, the striking incident was classified as intentional and that the contact made was high,” a SANFL spokesman said.

Jervois has not yet appealed the outcome.

Jervois Football Club, Meningie Football Club and the RMFL were contacted by The Advertiser but did not make comment.