Sydney Swans have decided not to appeal two fines handed out to Dane Rampe after win over Essendon
The Sydney Swans have decided not to appeal the excessiveness of the fines issued to star Dane Rampe after last Friday night’s game against Essendon, bringing to a close the week long saga involving the club captain.
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The six-day Dane Rampe saga is officially over, with the Sydney Swans deciding against lodging an appeal for the severity of a $10,000 fine.
Rampe received two sanctions from the AFL following last Friday’s bizarre night at the SCG, with a $1000 fine, fully suspended, for jumping on a goalpost, and the more severe financial penalty for telling an umpire that he talked “like a little girl.”
The Swans were seriously weighing up challenging the excessiveness of the $10,000 fine for umpire abuse at a tribunal, believing it was unfair compared to penalties handed out for similar issues.
Sydney were also unhappy that Rampe was fined for the goalpost climb when it didn’t even constitute a free-kick on the night.
However, Sydney has decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not create more of a storm by pushing the farcical scandal into a second week.
“The Sydney Swans will not appeal the sanctions handed to Dane Rampe by the AFL in relation to two incidents during our Round 8 match against Essendon,” the Swans said in a statement.
“The club in no way condones the comments Rampe made to an umpire as they do not reflect our values of respect and inclusiveness.
“Rampe has acknowledged he made a mistake and apologised unreservedly. He is an outstanding leader of our football club and is disappointed in himself for his actions.
“However, the club remains of the view that the fines imposed are excessive, because they are not in line with the AFL's response to other recent incidents.
“We have raised our concerns with the AFL and hope the league will continue to show leadership with a consistently strong stance on such matters in the future.”
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