Marlion Pickett touched by AFL fan: Jordan Lewis calls for life ban
The AFL has confirmed they have launched an investigation into the unacceptable incident where Marlion Pickett was touched by a fan during the Tigers’ 55-point loss to the Bulldogs.
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The AFL has confirmed it is investigating an “unacceptable” incident which saw a fan lean over the fence to hit Richmond star Marlion Pickett on Friday night.
Pickett was close to the boundary line behind the goals during the third quarter as Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli was lining up for a set shot when the incident occurred.
Pickett reacted angrily to being tapped on the shoulder by the fan and appeared to exchange words with them briefly before a nearby security guard intervened and Pickett walked away.
“The AFL is currently reviewing the security and match manager’s report,” AFL spokesperson Jay Allen said on Saturday.
“While in normal circumstances we embrace player and fan interaction after a game, what happened at last night’s game is not acceptable and the AFL will work through it in the coming days.”
Richmond caretaker coach Andrew McQualter said after the game that he had not spoken to Pickett but was aware of the incident.
“I don’t know full details, but it shouldn’t happen,” McQualter said of the incident.
“We love fans in our game and they’re so critical to our game, but our players should never, ever be touched when they’re on the football field. So it’s disappointing that that happened.”
Pickett alerted Richmond football boss Tim Livingstone to the incident during the three-quarter-time break.
“The AFL will deal with it now.”
Hawthorn champion Jordan Lewis has called on the AFL to issue a fan with a life ban.
“You never ever, ever, ever touch a player on the ground,” Lewis said on Fox Footy.
“I don’t care who you are. That fan right there should be banned for life.”
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was unaware of the incident post-game and declined to comment on it.
Pickett managed 12 disposals and one goal as the Tigers fell to the Western Bulldogs by 55 points at Marvel Stadium.
The result all but ended Richmond’s finals hopes with just three rounds remaining in the home-and-away season.
WATCH: CALL FOR LIFE BAN AFTER FAN TOUCHES STAR TIGER
The AFL is set to investigate a Western Bulldogs fan who intentionally leant over the fence to hit Richmond’s Marlion Pickett on Friday night in an incident the Tigers said should “never, ever” happen.
Pickett was close to the boundary line behind the goals during the third quarter as Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli was lining up for a set shot when the incident occurred.
A fan leaned over the fence to make contact with Marlion Pickett in the third quarter.
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 4, 2023
PSA: If you're in the crowd, please don't ever do this #AFLDogsTigerspic.twitter.com/jk7p3XVMdP
Pickett reacted angrily to being tapped on the shoulder by the fan and appeared to exchange words with them briefly before a nearby security guard intervened and Pickett walked away.
Richmond caretaker coach Andrew McQualter said after the game that he had not spoken to Pickett but was aware of the incident.
The AFL will get the security report from its team at Marvel Stadium over the weekend, work through why the fan touched Pickett over the fence. The AFL’s message is that any interaction of that nature is totally unacceptable @FOXFOOTY
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 4, 2023
“I don’t know full details, but it shouldn’t happen,” McQualter said of the incident.
“We love fans in our game and they’re so critical to our game, but our players should never, ever be touched when they’re on the football field. So it’s disappointing that that happened.”
Pickett alerted Richmond football boss Tim Livingstone to the incident during the three-quarter-time break.
“The AFL will deal with it now.”
Hawthorn champion Jordan Lewis has called on the AFL to issue a fan with a life ban.
“You never ever, ever, ever touch a player on the ground,” Lewis said on Fox Footy.
“I don’t care who you are. That fan right there should be banned for life.”
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was unaware of the incident post-game and declined to comment on it.
Pickett managed 12 disposals and one goal as the Tigers fell to the Western Bulldogs by 55 points at Marvel Stadium.
The result all but ended Richmond’s finals hopes with just three rounds remaining in the home-and-away season.
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