Cohuna Kangas under 12s coach Ben Edwards deregistered

A country footy league tribunal has handed down the strongest possible sanction to an under 12s coach after an altercation with an opposing coach.

A country Victorian junior football coach has been whacked with the biggest suspension possible following an altercation with an opposing coach last Saturday.

Cohuna Kangas’ under 12s coach Ben Edwards was slapped with a 16-match ban and deregistration from the game by the Central Murray Football League tribunal on Wednesday night.

It led to a strongly worded media release being issued by the league on Thursday that any individuals found to be engaging in anti-social behaviour, on or off the field, would be held accountable.

The incident took place in the match between Cohuna Kangas and Mallee Eagles at Lalbert.

“We stand firm in our commitment to upholding the principles of respect, inclusion, and

sportsmanship at every level of our game,” the joint statement issued by Central Murray league chairman Gavin Campbell and league manager Jessie Chester said.

“It is the responsibility of all players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators to contribute to a positive and welcoming environment.

“There is no place in our League for any form of anti-social behaviour.”

The charge of engaging in serious misconduct was contested by Edwards and Cohuna Kangas at the tribunal.

Edwards also coaches the Cohuna Kangas reserves team.

Club president Wade Mathers declined to comment.

Last season, the Cenral Murray put clubs on notice about future fines for unruly behaviour among fans following a fiery finals match between Cohuna Kangas and Balranald.

The match stopped for at least 25 minutes in the second quarter when a Kangas player was badly concussed and taken to hospital by ambulance.

Originally published as Cohuna Kangas under 12s coach Ben Edwards deregistered