AFL to take over player penalties
Caroline Wilson | April 23, 2007
The Age
THE AFL is set to crack down on poor player behaviour and will take over the power to punish footballers for off-field transgressions from the 16 clubs.
In a move forced by incidents involving players from a number of clubs, the competition's governing body has recommended a historically significant rewriting of the player rules.
The new heavy-handed approach put forward and passed three days ago by the AFL Commission under the guidance of new chairman Mike Fitzpatrick, would change the "conduct unbecoming" rule and increase the AFL's disciplinary powers to fine, suspend and deregister footballers for antisocial and criminal behaviour.
The AFL has lost faith in the clubs penalising players guilty of such behaviour. Although the move will cause concern among some clubs and the players' union, the power to change the rules rests with the AFL.
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http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/afl-to-take-over-player-penalties/2007/04/22/1177180483179.html
