AFL concedes Blues supporter did not run across two bays of seats to abuse umpire Mathew Nicholls

A Carlton fan who took legal action against the AFL after being ejected for calling an umpire a ‘bald-headed flog’ has had a small win, but league boss Gillon McLachlan says it’s not an apology. WATCH

Carlton fan ‘Frankie’ has had a win over the AFL. Pic: Michael Klein

“Frankie”, the Carlton fan ejected from Marvel Stadium for calling an umpire a “bald-headed flog”, has scored a victory over the AFL.

In an email to Frankie’s lawyers, the AFL has conceded the Blues supporter did not run across two bays of seats to abuse umpire Mathew Nicholls as repeatedly claimed by AFL supremo Gillon McLachlan.

McLachlan insisted in an interview with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell on June 14 that Frankie had run in an aggressive and intimidating manner towards Nicholls during Carlton’s Round 12 clash against Brisbane.

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The claim was used to help justify the actions taken against him as the footy fan security crisis hit boiling point.

It later emerged McLachlan had made the allegations to Mitchell by phone while attending a lavish 50th birthday party in Hawaii.

In the email to Holding Redlich, the law firm acting on Frankie’s behalf, the AFL vowed never to repeat the claim he had “ran at the umpire and leant over the umpire’s race” to abuse Nicholls.

Carlton fan Frankie has had a win against the AFL. Pic: Michael Klein

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“The AFL notes those objections and does not intend to repeat those statements,” league lawyer Stephen Meade said in the email.

But McLachlan today said he wouldn’t be saying sorry to “Frankie”.

“No, I haven’t apologised,” he said on 3AW.

McLachlan said he hadn’t reviewed video footage of the incident or read the lawyer’s letter, but he was happy to leave the issue to the league’s legal department.

“I think we’re done,” he said.

“There are people ejected all the time for the football, if he feels it was unjust he should take appropriate action, and he’s done that.”

"We'll move on."

AFL boss Gil McLachlan won't be apologising to Carlton's 'flog fan'.

Full interview: https://t.co/vCfoFiqjHv pic.twitter.com/mMHeBZFAqq

— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) August 2, 2019

Despite the clarification, the AFL rejected a demand for a formal apology and the removal of a first and final warning slapped on Frankie by the league integrity unit.

“The AFL does not resile from its confirmation of (Frankie’s) breach of the code, the issuance of a warning to him and the placement of a notification on his AFL membership,” Meade said.

AFL umpire Mathew Nicholls.

The ruling effectively bans the term “bald-headed flog” from being used at AFL matches.

Family friend businessman Romeo D’Amato said last night: “Frankie is satisfied that the incorrect allegations will not be repeated and he now wishes to let this matter rest, get on with his life and enjoy the footy and the new spirit developing at Carlton.

“A lot of people just accepted the AFL’s position; but we simply sought the truth and a correction of the record.”

Fallout from the June 8 incident led to Frankie taking stress leave from work.

“They’ve thrown me under the bus,” Frankie said at the time.

“Go and get the footage. They (the AFL) own the ground, so it shouldn’t be that hard for them to get the footage of me running across the two bays. But it didn’t happen.

“I’m disappointed with the AFL that they think they can bully their way out of situations and make up their own stories.

“The normal fan has no right of reply.”