Richmond ruckman Ray Hall suspended
May 5, 2007 - 2:09PM
The Age
Richmond has acted quickly to punish ruckman Ray Hall following an incident in a Prahran bar this week.
Sensitive to the AFL's increasing impatience with player behaviour, the Tigers have suspended Hall for three weeks and fined him $5,000, as well as ordering him to do community service.
And, they have demanded the suspension begin as soon as Hall has recovered from his current injury.
In the latest of a long list of AFL players behaving badly, Richmond has moved to show it is not prepared to tolerate incidents which threaten to tarnish the image of the game.
Club president Gary March said he was furious at the indiscretion, which led to police intervention.
"Ray was involved in a minor altercation with a patron at a bar in Prahran," March said.
"No person was injured. At this time, no charges have been laid and Ray will continue to fully cooperate with police inquiries.
"Ray is currently injured and to give added meaning to the penalty, the three week suspension from senior football will only commence when he has recovered from his injury."
During his injury rehabilitation, Ray will complete additional sessions imposed by the Club's leadership group," he said.
"Ray will also be required to undertake community work with the homeless and underprivileged."
March said the Tigers were "extremely angry and embarrassed about the incident."
"We are aware of the current issues surrounding the behaviour of some AFL footballers in the eyes of the public and the responsibility of the players to be positive role models.
"Ray has let down the AFL, the club and his fellow teammates and is very apologetic for his actions.
"This conduct is completely out of character for Ray and it is the only blemish of his 99 game, nine-year career at Richmond."
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