Suns captain Steven May cops fine for umpire contact as Carlton’s Curnow’s brothers await fate

GOLD Coast skipper Steven May is clear to play this weekend after a win at the AFL Tribunal. But Carlton is sweating after both Curnow brothers were cited for the same charge.

GOLD Coast captain Steven May has been spared a suspension despite touching an umpire, and is free to lead his AFL side in China against Port Adelaide this weekend.

The 26-year-old pleaded not guilty to a charge of intentional contact and instead was found guilty of carelessly touching an official in the club’s heavy loss to Melbourne on Saturday. The downgraded charge brought a $1000 fine, allowing May to take his part in the marquee fixture in Shanghai. THE TACKLE: ROBBO’S ROUND 8 LIKES AND DISLIKES SUPERCOACH: HOW TO FIX BILLINGS, PETRACCA FAILS May’s success at the Tribunal comes on the same day Carlton brothers Ed and Charlie Curnow were referred directly to the AFL Tribunal for making contact with a field umpire. Their cases will be heard on Tuesday night. May, the Suns leader, was referred directly to the tribunal after making contact with field umpire David Harris. May said he didn’t even feel the umpire at the time. “I actually didn’t realise I hit him when I was walking off the field for halftime and I saw the big screen,” he said in evidence on a video-link from the Gold Coast. “It happened really fast and I didn’t even know.” May was replicating the contest that led to a free kick being given against him by Harris when he touched the official. He admitted being “frustrated” by the decision, with player advocate Stephen Russell saying May showed “no aggression and nothing of that sort” towards Harris. The tribunal, chaired by Ross Howie, deliberated for 12 minutes before finding him not guilty. Sam Day won’t be heading to China with the Suns after he accepted a one-week ban for a low blow on Neville Jetta. — AAP LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as Suns captain Steven May cops fine for umpire contact as Carlton’s Curnow’s brothers await fate

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