Brownlow betting umpire Michael Pell targeted and headbutted in local football brawl

The former AFL umpire at the centre of the Brownlow Medal betting scandal was sledged by opposition players before being headbutted in a brawl.

The former AFL umpire at the centre of the Brownlow Medal betting scandal has been left bruised and bloodied after being targeted in an ugly local football brawl.

Vision shows Michael Pell with blood gushing from his face after he was headbutted by a Taylors Lakes opponent on Saturday.

Witnesses said Taylors Lakes players were sledging Pell by asking, “Who’s getting the three votes today?” and calling out: “Dan Hannebery, three votes” during his third game for Hadfield in the Essendon District Football League.

Pell was seen showing his bloodied face to an umpire and pointing at opponent Nicholas McIntosh — who was suspended for three matches — as the third-quarter melee at Martin Reserve dispersed.

Former AFL umpire Michael Pell headbutted in a local footy game. Picture: Supplied

That sidelines brawl was sparked when McIntosh shoved Pell into the fence. McIntosh then headbutted Pell as they grappled.

The fight involved about eight players and continued as the ball was tossed back into play by the boundary umpire.

Pell’s forehead was split open with a large gash. McIntosh was not reported by umpires at the time. But he was offered a three-match ban for misconduct, which the EDFL confirmed he had accepted.

Pell was also left on report after another brawl erupted in the first quarter. Pell was sledged as he slotted a set-shot goal — and while celebrating another fracas broke out involving about 16 players.

An umpire was seen showing Pell a yellow card as he lay on the grass. Pell appeared to ask, “What for?”.

That umpire offered Pell a two-match ban immediately after the match. Pell contested the charge at the EDFL tribunal on Wednesday night, but was found guilty of striking and banned for two matches.

Pell pleaded not guilty and could appeal the suspension. He has until 12pm on Thursday to decide.

Pell was reported for making contact with another opponent — not McIntosh. One of Pell’s teammates also accepted a two-match ban for striking in what was a fiery Division 2 match.

Hadfield coach Brett Pitts urged players and spectators to leave Pell alone when he made his return to football.

“This is a fellow that‘s trying to get his life back on track. He’s a good guy,” Pitts said

“Things have happened in the past and that’s fine. Let’s move on and create a safe environment for him to come back and get around his mates.”

Pell said this month the past nine months had been “horrible” since his arrest for allegedly leaking last year’s Brownlow Medal votes.

Victoria Police has not laid charges against him and the AFL made no formal findings against Pell, who resigned from the league late last year.

Originally published as Brownlow betting umpire Michael Pell targeted and headbutted in local football brawl