Knox Football Club and EFNL slammed over ‘disgusting’ penalty

An independent investigation into the Knox Football Club has concluded, with the penalties handed out not sitting well with one player.

An independent investigation into reports of disgusting behaviour from the Knox Football Club has reached its conclusion.

The team was thrust into the spotlight in early May when reports emerged that players from the Melbourne suburban football club rated and attempted to trip over players from the Donvale women’s team as they ran out onto the ground.

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Days later the club issued a statement revealing the entire team had been “stood down indefinitely pending the outcome of the independent investigation”.

The investigation, conducted by the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL), came to its conclusion on Friday with the league handing down its findings.

The ruling noted one official had been handed a six-week suspension while an undetermined number of players were banned.

A league statement said any players found to have breached the EFNL’s vilification and discrimination policy were suspended for six weeks.

“Further to this, if they are found guilty of any conduct breaching the policy in the next 2 years, they will no longer be able to play in the EFNL,” the statement said.

A Knox team official has been “suspended from duty” for six weeks after being found to have breached AFL Laws of the Game 22.2.2 (cc) “through intimidating comments”.

The club was also handed a suspended $10,000 fine and will undergo self-funded educational programs.

“As a league, the EFNL does not condone disgraceful behaviour towards any of our participants,” the league statement read.

The EFNL handed down its findings on Friday. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Despite the bans being handed down, players within the league weren’t happy and spoke to 3AW’s Jacqui Felgate to voice their frustration.

Felgate brought the story to light when she revealed that male Knox players were involved in the incident as the Donvale players returned to the field for the second half of their match.

“As the women ran out at half time, male players from Knox lined up on either side of the race, and yelled out ratings for each player,” she said.

On Friday, Felgate spoke with a player from within the league who said he was “disgusted” by the investigation which lasted just one week.

“I’m pretty disgusted. I think it’s a quick turnaround – one week. Just a slap on the wrist, I reckon, and the EFNL has done absolutely nothing about this. Pretty disgusting,” he said to Felgate on 3AW.

The player, using an alias, said the league had shown they don’t have a “backbone” in their handling of the incident.

Jacqui Felgate was the first to report the incident. Photo: Facebook and Knox Football Club.

EFNL Statement on Knox Football Club

“The Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) was made aware of an incident that occurred during the Deakin Women’s Division 1 women’s match between Donvale Football Club and Knox Football Netball Clubs on Saturday 11th May 2024,” the statement read.

“The EFNL has worked closely with both clubs since the time of the incident and launched an independent investigation soon after. The Knox Development team was stood down until the conclusion of the investigation.

“The investigation has since concluded with the following findings:

• A team official was found to have breached AFL Laws of the Game 22.2.2 (cc) through intimidating comments being made and was suspended from duty for 6 weeks. Further to this, if they are found guilty of any same or similar conduct in the next 2 years, they will no longer be able to hold any official team position in the EFNL;

• Any players who were found to have breached the EFNL Vilification and Discrimination Policy have been suspended for a total of 6 weeks. Further to this, if they are found guilty of any conduct breaching the policy in the next 2 years, they will no longer be able to play in the EFNL;

• The club will undergo self-funded educational programs with a no participation, no play rule imposed; and

• The club has been fined $10,000 to be suspended for the remainder of the season and entire 2025 season.

“As a league, the EFNL does not condone disrespectful behaviour towards any of our participants. The EFNL has provided educational resources to all clubs and will continue to work to facilitate the development of all clubs to ensure our behavioural standards are met.”

Originally published as Knox Football Club and EFNL slammed over ‘disgusting’ penalty