Five-year ban for Collingwood member responsible for vile threat against Carlton coach Michael Voss

An AFL investigation uncovered a member of a rival club was behind a vile threat to Carlton coach Michael Voss and they have copped a huge ban.

Officials at the AFL and MCG have given the “forthright response” Michael Voss hoped for and banned a Collingwood member for five years for the “highly inappropriate and threatening text message” aimed at the embattled Carlton coach.

While the vile message, left on the MCG anti-social behaviour hotline during last Friday’s night clash against the Magpies was not treated as a credible threat, it was enough for the MCG security team to pass it on.

Voss said he “dismissed it” at first but then decided it was something that couldn’t be tolerated and he hoped for an expected “forthright response”.

Michael Voss speaks to media on Wednesday. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

After an AFL investigation, that response was confirmed on Thursday afternoon in a statement from the AFL and then Collingwood, which has issued a similar ban after it was revealed a Magpies member was the perpetrator.

Head of AFL integrity and security Tony Keane said no coach, player, official, staff member or fan should feel unsafe at a game.

“The anti-social hotline at venues is designed to ensure everyone attending the match can do so in a safe and inclusive manner, and the majority of times this service is used appropriately,” he said.

“We understand there is passion in the game; however, the text message in question sent to the MCG hotline on Friday crossed the line.

“Regardless of the intent, no coach, player, official, staff member or fan deserves to be threatened in such a way, and now that patron has lost the privilege of attending the footy.”

Collingwood also condemned the actions of its club member.

“The club is very disappointed by the member’s actions which have resulted in a five-year ban from both the MCG and AFL – Collingwood will follow suit,” a statement said. “Collingwood will not tolerate any threats to officials, supporters or individuals involved in our great game – such conduct is unacceptable and not representative of the club or its values.”

We support the sanction issued to a Club Member following their misuse of the MCG’s anti-social behaviour hotline during the Round 17 match against Carlton.

More: https://t.co/WBXkFCNhD7pic.twitter.com/GwSJ20jFsL

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) July 10, 2025

Voss delivered a passionate response on Wednesday morning when asked about the threat, declaring the “passion” of fans shouldn’t be about anger.

He said he still saw that hope in some supporters – the ones he coached for – but had no time for the “the dark side of football”.

“It (that first football) sort of really inspired me to ultimately follow my dreams … then I have also seen the dark side of football as well, where we blame, we become victims,” he said.

“This environment where it’s quite toxic and we think by showing passion is about anger, it’s not about that at all. When you see both, it’s what you choose for me.

“When I turn up … I look at that four-year-old and think about what families are and communities and how we bring people together and what we want our environment to be. “

“There’s a way we need to behave, there’s a way we need to go about it, and when things are tough, you’ve got to show that support the right way, not the wrong way.

“If that’s a measure for some people on what it should look like, then I am sorry you don’t belong here.”

Originally published as Five-year ban for Collingwood member responsible for vile threat against Carlton coach Michael Voss