North Pines faces possible expulsion from Adelaide Football League after official receives seven-year ban for striking an opposition player
A NORTHERN suburbs club faces possible expulsion from the Adelaide Footy League after one of its matchday officials received a seven-year ban for twice punching a player in the face.
A NORTHERN suburbs club faces possible expulsion from the Adelaide Footy League after one of its matchday officials received a seven-year ban for twice punching a player in the face.
The league suspended the North Pines volunteer on Thursday night for two counts of striking a St Paul’s Old Scholars footballer in their division seven clash at Andrew Smith Reserve last month.
Witnesses said the official ran on the field after a melee broke out during the second quarter then confronted an opponent, who had collided with a North Pines player.
The ban followed a month-long league investigation into the clash, which also produced suspensions for two North Pines players – Phillip Dudley (six games) for striking and stomping, and Cooper Sharp (eight matches) for striking.
Officials from North Pines and the league will meet on Monday night to determine the fate of the Parafield Gardens-based club, which has a history of bad behaviour.
League chief executive John Kernahan said the club might be thrown out of the competition or given the chance to remain under strict conditions.
“This came from a football incident that we’d see any given Saturday – a clash of bodies,” Kernahan said.
“It would be too easy to only consider these events in isolation, but the league also has a responsibility to its member clubs, their members and its umpires to ensure they can participate in a safe environment without similar occurring again.
“The league does not apologise for being uncompromising in its pursuit in raising the bar for behavioural standards.”
North Pines was also in hot water with the league in 2014 after a series of suspensions, including:
■ Former South Adelaide player Damian Rigney being suspended for 32 games – leading to a life ban – for racial vilification, umpire abuse and attempting to headbutt an umpire;
■ Coach Farin Wanganeen receiving a 12-month ban for umpire abuse and intimidation;
■ Player Kristian Newchurch for four games for umpire abuse, and;
■ Teammate Brenton Reid for three games for striking and abusive language to an umpire.
The league has made North Pines forfeit its match against Flinders University tomorrow.
North Pines chairman Chad Buchanan would not comment on the latest incident before Monday’s meeting with the league.
Buchanan said the club would respect and abide by the league’s decision.
“We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with the league to ensure the continued participation of many of our young people from a broad multicultural and indigenous background in grassroots football, in a safe environment for all to enjoy,” Buchanan said.
“The club hopes we can work towards this goal with the amateur league.”
St Paul’s Old Scholars officials did not want to comment.
Kernahan said club responsibilities, including conduct of players, spectators and officials, would be a key agenda item at a league forum on June 5.