‘I take responsibility’: Gillon McLachlan apologises for umpire abuse

The AFL has moved to crack down on abuse of match officials and now chief executive Gillon McLachlan has issued an apology.

Gill McLachlan and the AFL hope better treatment of match officials on the big stage will lead to higher participation in umpiring at community level. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Gillon McLachlan has taken personal responsibility for umpire abuse “getting away” from the AFL and has issued a stern warning to perpetrators ahead of the 2022 season.

In response to umpire shortages at community level, the AFL announced late last month it would come down hard on umpire abuse this year.

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Club staffers could find themselves suspended from match day duties if they abuse officials, while players can expect to be punished more harshly on field for aggressive treatment of umpires.

Gill McLachlan wants umpire abuse stamped out of the game. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Speaking at the launch of the AFL’s Festival of Footy on Thursday, McLachlan apologised to umpires for the abuse they may have endured in attempting to police the game.

“Frankly, I take responsibility for the fact that I think it has got away from us,” he said.

“And I think the rules are clear: We are not going to tolerate the abuse of umpires.

“And it’s clear to our players, our clubs. I’m apologetic it has gotten to this point.

“We’ve got a dearth of umpires. There’s 6000 umpires short nationally.

“It’s a great credit to the growth of our game, but it’s also the fact that the supply of umpires hasn’t kept up because it’s a tough job and it’s also made tougher by the players, supporters and others.”

The AFL is set to take a dim view of players communicating aggressively with umpires this season. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

McLachlan said players were still permitted to approach and address umpires but there was a correct way to go about things in the heat of battle.

“I think everyone understands what’s right and wrong,” McLachlan said.

“People can talk about the game and talk about things in a respectful way, but what they can’t do is on-field abuse and – coaches and others – the abuse of umpires off-field.

“It might be a feeling-out process in the (next) couple of weeks. But it will settle down and I think behaviours will change.”

The crackdown on umpire abuse comes after Toby Greene made headlines for his “ump bump” in the GWS Giants’ elimination final win over the Sydney Swans last season.

For making contact with umpire Matt Stevic, Greene was rubbed out of the Giants’ semi-final loss and the opening five rounds of the 2022 season.

The AFL season begins on March 16 when last year’s grand finalists Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs meet at the MCG.

Originally published as ‘I take responsibility’: Gillon McLachlan apologises for umpire abuse