AFL chief Gillon McLachlan backs club action over fan’s ‘green maggot’ gibe to umpire

Nothing to see here: AFL chief Gillon McLachlan says there’s no PC push behind the Tigers cheer squads three-match ban for calling an umpire a “green maggot”.

A Tigers cheer squad member was banned for calling the umpire a “maggot”. Picture AAP

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has labelled the suggestion that the fan banned by Richmond was political correctness gone mad as “rubbish”.

The Tigers sanctioned a cheer squad member with a three-game penalty, with the fan claiming the term at the centre of the issue was “green maggot” in reference to an umpire.

McLachlan — who is in Shanghai — said the matter was par for the course.

“There are lots of complaints about crowd behaviour coming from the public that initiated this one,” he said.

“It was referred back to the club. As I understand it, the club cheer squad itself dealt with the issue internally.

“Everyone needs to be able to come to the football and feel it’s an inclusive environment, but the concept of ‘PCness’ and everything else is rubbish.

“People make complaints is generally referred to the club and it’s dealt with, and that’s what’s happened here. As I understand it, it was dealt with by the cheer squad itself and there’s things like that happening all of the time every week.”

He said he “did not know what actually was said”.

“People know there’s a level of emotion or theatre with the game and engagements with the umpires in the right way is part of our game,” he said.

“There’s stuff that crosses the line and that’s dealt with. Whatever was said was referred back to the club. The cheer squad made their own determination and they actioned it, and that’s where it’s at.”

Umpires have long been a target for fan ire. Picture: Michael Klein

Tigers’ cheer squad chiefs have sent a memo to members, warning of bans or other disciplinary action if they criticise umpires or players.

“We ask that cheer squad members refrain from making any derogatory comments ­towards anyone, be it on field or off,’’ the memo said.

“Doing so may result in disciplinary action being taken by the cheer squad, the club or the AFL.’’

The banned fan has claimed he was threatened with a 12- month ban for yelling: “Be ­consistent, you green maggot!’’

The cheer squad memo says the fan’s comment was found “offensive and bullying”.

After “a lot of negotiations with the league’’ and Richmond, it said the penalty was reduced from a potential year to three matches.

“The football field is the umpire’s place of work and it is seen that any abuse directed towards them or any on-field official is deemed as workplace bullying and will not be tolerated,’’ the memo said.

AFL Fans’ Association vice- president and Richmond cheer squad member Cheryl Critchley said a year-long ban for such a comment would be “cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer’’.

“Some cheer squad members are now concerned they are being punished for being passionate,’’ she said.

McLachlan was on hand for the Shanghai Cup, with 21 teams competing at Wellington College.

“I come here today and I’m proud,” he said.

“I see people who love our game, come out and playing, whether they be expats who have been playing for years or people from all over Asia, locals who are falling in love with our game. To see us in the middle of Shanghai playing on school oval playing our game … it makes me proud to be taking our game all over the world.”

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Carlton was sent a “please explain’’ from the AFL after members of its cheer squad chanted

“umpire, you’re a w**ker” in its round eight loss to Collingwood.

Ms Critchley said the AFL Fans’ Association rejected ­violent, racist, sexist, homophobic and similar acts, but fans deserved to wear their hearts on their sleeves.

“Rather than target its most dedicated diehards for temporary brain fades, the AFL should step up its efforts to educate all supporters about what is and isn’t appropriate,’’ she said.

“What happens when Richmond cheer squad starts its ‘Bulls---’ chant after a controversial free kick? Will the whole group be kicked out?”

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