Essendon District Football League chief executive demands players improve treatment of umpires

The chief executive of a top Melbourne football league has condemned players for “unacceptable behaviour” after a string of violent incidents, and revealed the league loses around 30 per cent of its umpires a year.

Too many umpires are leaving the role due to on-field abuse, EDFL leaders say.

Essendon District Football League chief executive Craig Armstead has condemned players for “unacceptable behaviour” following a string of incidents involving umpires.

A Glenroy under-13s player was this week slapped with a 10-match ban for attempting to strike an umpire in the most serious incident.

An Aberfeldie under-17s player was also banned for six games after being found guilty of spitting at or on an umpire and abusive language.

And Strathmore’s Tom Hewett (under-19s), Northern Saints’ Mohammad Rabah and Greenvale’s Matthew Guglielmino (thirds) all copped two-game sanctions for abusive language.

“I have been appalled at the threatening and overall poor conduct shown towards EDFL umpires in recent weeks, which has resulted in an increase in the number of players being reported,” Armstead said.

“This is unacceptable behaviour and reflects a very concerning lack of respect for our umpires.

EDFL chief executive Craig Armstead.

“The volume and nature of these player reports is very distressing. The EDFL takes pride in the fact that we are able to provide independent field umpires for all our competitions and boundary and goal umpires for many of our senior football matches.

“This year we have over 540 registered umpires. However, historically we lose around 30 per cent of our umpires every year.

“While there are various reasons for this, match-day environment and negative experiences are a key component for these declining figures.”

Armstead’s plea comes after an EDFL senior fixture was also delayed last Saturday after umpires issued a Roxburgh Park player with a red card.

It is understood the officials opted to stay behind closed doors, causing the start of the third quarter of the clash between the Magpies and

Tullamarine to be delayed by about 10 minutes.

The EDFL has confirmed Kajanithen Gnanapragasa will front the tribunal on Tuesday after the hearing was delayed by a week.

It is understood he is facing multiple charges, including striking, but the EDFL would not release details before the hearing.

Defender Gnanapragasa was involved in a scuffle with Tullamarine forward Ryan Pretty late in the first half and handed a red card.

Leader understands he refused to leave the field for a period after being given his marching orders.

A player shown a red card is unable to return to the field for the remainder of the match and cannot accept a set penalty.

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“Like all of us, umpires have and will continue to make mistakes,” Armstead said.

“Regardless of whether the decisions they make are correct or incorrect, players, officials, parents and supporters must demonstrate control in their reactions and behaviours towards our umpires.

“The EDFL have a duty of care to ensure an appropriate workplace for our Umpires and we need the support and assistance of EDFL players, coaches, parents, volunteers, administrators and supporters to ensure that is the case.”

EDFL umpiring manager Rowan Sawers said the EDFL had been losing about 45 junior umpires a year because of verbal abuse hurled at them by parents on the sideline.

The league introduced an awareness campaign, Don’t Be That Parent, three years ago in a bid to crackdown on overly emotional and abusive parents at junior footy matches.

Thirteen clubs in the EDFL have since adopted it.