By Peter Ryan and Jake Niall
The AFL believes it has established the identity of the man who sent a threatening message directed at Carlton coach Michael Voss at the MCG on Friday night during the Blues’ loss to Collingwood.
The league’s integrity unit believes that the man who made the alleged threat to Voss – via text message on the anti-social hotline at the MCG – did so from his own phone, according to two sources familiar with the investigation.
Michael Voss has told fans who send threatening messages to Blues staff do not belong at the club.Credit: Getty Images
The message was not treated as a credible threat but was enough for the MCG to notify the AFL integrity unit, who then made Carlton aware of the issue and launched an investigation into the matter.
The AFL or Carlton can revoke the offending person’s membership if he is a member of either the club or the league.
On Wednesday, Voss delivered a pointed message to supporters who wanted to turn their frustration at his team’s performances into personal attacks on Blues staff, saying they “don’t belong” in the club.
The disappointed coach said he expected “a pretty forthright response” from the AFL integrity department.
The message was received by the MCG security team who work with police during matches, according to the AFL and the MCG.
Voss said he understood scrutiny was part of the job but said people needed to have perspective, when results weren’t going their way, and channel their emotions positively.
“I have also seen the dark side of football as well, where we blame, we become victims,” Voss said.
“This environment where it’s quite toxic, and we think by showing passion is about anger, it’s not about that all, when you see both, it’s what you choose.
“[Football] is more about bringing people together and that is extremely important to me.
“There is a way we need to behave and there is a way we need to go about it. You’ve got to show that support the right way, not the wrong way. If that [message] is a measure for some people on what [football] should look like then I’m sorry you don’t belong here.”
Voss said he was dismissive when first told of the message but was conscious of the potential impact on family members, and said the incident should not be swept away.
“[I] know because of what I do there is an element of scrutiny that comes with that, but then there is a part that is completely unacceptable ... we don’t tolerate that as an industry so we leave that with the AFL integrity [unit] at the moment and I expect a pretty forthright response,” Voss said.
An MCC spokesperson explained that the anti-social behaviour text service was monitored in real time on event days.
“Relevant information is then passed onto MCC security and if required Victoria Police to manage accordingly. MCC security has made the AFL integrity unit aware of this matter.”
A Blues spokesperson said the message overstepped the mark, although Voss was not exposed to any threat. This masthead does not know the exact nature of the message.
Victoria Police said in a statement that the SMS message had been investigated, and “no criminality was identified”.
The club is now working with the AFL integrity department to determine what action can be taken. The investigation is ongoing.
Carlton coach Michael Voss.Credit: Getty Images
Carlton have been under fierce criticism for their performances for most of the season. Vandals sprayed graffiti on the walls at Ikon Park calling for the board and key officials to be sacked two weeks ago after the club’s loss to Port Adelaide.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan described the situation as an unfortunate constant of the coaching caper. Out of the finals picture, the 12th-placed Blues, with six wins and 10 losses, host the defending premiers at Marvel Stadium on Thursday.
Voss, a three-time premiership captain with the Lions, was assured of his job until at least the end of this season, before the side limped to a 56-point loss to Collingwood last Friday.
“We’ve all been through that,” Fagan said of Voss’ predicament.
“It’s tough. I see there was some … threats ... that’s pretty average.
“I’ve got no doubt he’d be doing the best job that he can, but that’s just the world AFL coaches live in.
“Faceless people, lack of courage. As coaches, we try to brush those things off, to be honest.”
The second-placed Lions all but ended Port Adelaide’s finals hopes with victory at the Gabba on Saturday and have lost just twice from 17 away games since last year’s bye.
Victory at Marvel Stadium would be another blow to the Blues and Voss, who had led his side to back-to-back finals appearances. All venues have detailed security plans in place for big events and Marvel Stadium has a policy of not commenting on such arrangements.
In positive news for Carlton, defender Nic Newman, who has been sorely missed through injury this season, has re-signed to play on in 2026.
With AAP
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