Warwick Capper to plea to reduce ‘excessive’ five-year ban from AFL

Warwick Capper is owed clemency by the AFL for putting “his body on the line” to promote the game his manager says, as he seeks to negotiate a reduced ban.

Warwick Capper will reach out to the AFL in a bid to mediate and reduce his “excessive” five year ban from all AFL venues due to wild behaviour at last year’s grand final.

Capper’s manager Tony Marks says Capper is remorseful for the offensive behaviour but is hoping to reach a more reasonable outcome.

The former high-flying Swan has been banned from all AFL venues, including cricket and concerts.

“I don’t think the punishment fits the crime,’’ Marks told the Herald Sun.

“He’s a legend of the game and put his body on the line and his likeness is well used to promote the sport. It’s a shame to have someone of that calibre excluded from the game he loves.

“I personally will be looking to reach out to the appropriate people at the AFL to see if we can come to a reasonable outcome. He’s a good, fun family-loving guy with a heart of gold and he never meant any harm.”

Capper’s manager Tony Marks will reach out to the AFL. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Capper allegedly used derogatory language, intimidated and inappropriately touched a female staff member before being removed from the corporate suite and evicted from the MCG.

One of the comments said to have been overheard by a catering employee was “you’re a nice looking girl, you’d get a job in my brothel”, however Marks said Capper didn’t say that directly to the staff member.

Marks said connections were being made with the AFL Players Association about support for Capper.

“We’re not sticking it to the AFL, they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do and we concur that the behaviour in and around the grounds has to go be family oriented no matter what private space you think you’re in,’’ he said.

“They’ve done what they feel is in the best interests of the game but we’re going to see if we can mediate something more reasonable for a 62 year-old who has given his heart and soul to the game. There are other opportunities we could work together on and other ways we could perhaps make amends and reconnect a legend to the game through other means than a blanket ban.”

Warwick Capper flies high for a mark in 1991.

As well as footy matches, Capper is also keen to attend November’s AC/DC concert at the MCG.

Marks said Capper had been contacted by some footy legends offering their support.

This week both Sam Newman and Brian Taylor said the five year ban was ridiculous.

“The five year suspension of Warwick Capper is a disgrace,’’ Newman said on his podcast.

“That is ridiculous. He put the Swans on the map over there. To give him a five-year suspension for that.”

Channel 7 and Triple M commentator Taylor said on his podcast: “Staff members shouldn’t have to put up with that, but five years is ridiculous. I reckon there’s people in the crowd that have had fights at the MCG that aren’t banned for five years. A bit stiff, but don’t say that sort of thing.”

Originally published as Warwick Capper to plea to reduce ‘excessive’ five-year ban from AFL