AFL putting spies amongst the Richmond cheer squad [merged]

[one-eyed]

Footy PC police ban fan for ‘green maggot’ gibe

PETER ROLFE,
Herald Sun
31 May 2019

Footy fans have been put on notice after a Richmond cheer squad member was given a three-game ban for calling an umpire a “green maggot’’.

Tigers’ cheer squad chiefs have now sent a memo to members, warning of bans or other disciplinary action if they criticise umpires or players.

“We ask that cheer squad members refrain from making any derogatory comments ­towards anyone, be it on field or off,’’ the memo said.

“Doing so may result in disciplinary action being taken by the cheer squad, the club or the AFL.’’

The banned fan has claimed he was threatened with a 12- month ban for yelling: “Be ­consistent, you green maggot!’’

The cheer squad memo says the fan’s comment was found “offensive and bullying”.

After “a lot of negotiations with the league’’ and Richmond, it said the penalty was reduced from a potential year to three matches.

“The football field is the umpire’s place of work and it is seen that any abuse directed towards them or any on-field official is deemed as workplace bullying and will not be tolerated,’’ the memo said.

AFL Fans’ Association vice- president and Richmond cheer squad member Cheryl Critchley said a year-long ban for such a comment would be “cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer’’.

“Some cheer squad members are now concerned they are being punished for being passionate,’’ she said.

AFL spokesman Jay Allen said the league asked clubs to address vilification complaints.

“Cheer squads are a key part of every club,’’ he said.

“Clubs manage the relationship with their cheer squads ­directly, and any feedback to the AFL is directed on to the club. All fans can and should passionately support their team and the game, but there are standards on language, ­behaviour and conduct for the enjoyment of all supporters.”

Richmond confirmed ­banning the fan for three games, but said it was not aware of any threat to suspend him for a year. It will hold a “cultural awareness’’ session for ­supporters in the wake of the banning.

Carlton was sent a “please explain’’ from the AFL after members of its cheer squad chanted

“umpire, you’re a w**ker” in its round eight loss to Collingwood.

Ms Critchley said the AFL Fans’ Association rejected ­violent, racist, sexist, homophobic and similar acts, but fans deserved to wear their hearts on their sleeves.

“Rather than target its most dedicated diehards for temporary brain fades, the AFL should step up its efforts to educate all supporters about what is and isn’t appropriate,’’ she said.

“What happens when Richmond cheer squad starts its ‘Bulls---’ chant after a controversial free kick? Will the whole group be kicked out?”

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/footys-fun-police-ban-richmond-fan-for-green-maggot-comment/news-story/c032caf5c3762c39ad43737c90b70451

[Assange Tiger 😎]

Weak as pee Richmond and AFL.

Go stuff yourselves.

[Diocletian]

"Cultural awareness session"...stuff me drunk...struggle sessions for footy fans....

[Francois Jackson]

probably dobbed in  by a 65 type

an awareness session now. FMD what a joke

[Damo]

This country is stuffed

[Buddysucks]

Opposition players have been boo’d and abused 125 years. Umpires have been abused for the same amount of time. It goes with the job, players expect it and deal with it. If the umpires are too sensitive about then the AFL need a new recruitment team cause they attracting the wrong people.

[georgies31]

Crap like this makes me not bother with the game anymore they treat us fans as kid. Pathetic the alf and the umpires and our club for standing for this garbage.

[camboon]

Who voted for the Afl to become our morality and civil liberties restrictions enforcement. The AFL think they are some form of government instead of just administration.
Maybe club members should get a vote on who forms the next Dictatorship
It's gone from bad to worse since Hocking was enforced upon us

[big tone]

Surely this is a wind up!

Banded for 3 weeks for calling an umpire a maggot!!

Since when is this not acceptable? It’s just a bit of harmless fun and it could be a hell of a lot worse.

This country has gone mad.

[RichmondTiger]

I'm a cheer squad member and the memo/message was posted on there facebook page. The ban was for only  for sitting in the cheers squad. I still think that it to harsh!

[Francois Jackson]

I'm a cheer squad member and the memo/message was posted on there facebook page. The ban was for only l for sitting in the cheers squad. I still think that it to harsh!

? Repeat that again

I heard that it was the club not the AFL who are enforcing this rubbish

[RichmondTiger]

The massage has been edited though I definitely recall reading that the ban was only for the cheer squad. Pretty much my only involvement with the cheer squad is sitting in the area on game days.  I shouldn't be posting it but here in the cheer squad message. I'm sure it will be deleted soon.



*PLEASE, NO COMMENTING, SHARING OR TAGGING ON THIS POST **This post was edited and corrected We are writing this post to advise of an incident that occurred a few weeks ago at the Richmond v Melbourne match, the outcome and to advise expectations of cheer squad members in the future. You may or may not be aware that member was escorted from the ground during the last quarter of the ANZAC eve match accused of making a homophobic remark towards the umpire. Upon the ensuing conversation with police and league officials it was determined that the remark was not that as initially reported by security but was “Be consistent you green ma……”. This was deemed by the league to be offensive and bullying. A sanction has been applied the member. The football field is the Umpires place of work and it is seen that any abuse directed towards them or any on field official is deemed at work place bullying and will not be tolerated. You may have also seen in the media over the last couple of days that the Carlton football club has been asked for a please explain over their cheer squad chanting “Umpire is a wa……”, the outcome of this investigation is still to be determined. With this in mind we ask that cheer squad members refrain from making any derogatory comments towards anyone by it on field or off. Doing so may result in disciplinary action being taken by the Cheer Squad, Club or AFL. The Club will be holding a cultural awareness session for the Cheer Squad to provide perspective and information on this matter. All Cheer Squad members are welcome to attend, details to come shortly. We would also like to remind everyone of our Cheer Squad Code of Conduct, it must be followed at all times. CODE OF CONDUCT As a member of the Official Richmond Cheer Squad you will be expected to behave in a manner that does not bring the Cheer Squad or the Richmond Football Club into disrepute. As such the following Code of Conduct shall apply to all Cheer Squad members, any breach of this code may result the offending Cheer Squad member being asked to leave the Cheer Squad area and disciplinary action (which may include expulsion from the Cheer Squad) being taken against the offending Cheer Squad member. As a member of the Official Richmond Cheer Squad you shall; · Be respectful of others within and around the Cheer Squad · Be mindful of language used in and around the Cheer Squad area and not use any obscene language. The Club also stipulates there will be NO “Four letter word” chants or abuse of Richmond players. · The Official Richmond Cheer Squad (ORCS) area is a DRY AREA and no alcohol is permitted in this area. Members entering the Cheer Squad area while intoxicated will be asked to leave. This includes the Cheer Squad area at interstate venues (an AFL rule). · No physical violence towards others · Wearing of club colours within the Cheer Squad area. You will be asked to leave the Cheer Squad area if wearing colours of the opposition · Join in Cheer Squad chants and support of the club, this includes using Cheer Squad equipment such as floggers, flags, patties etc.….When allocating ticketing or seats within the Cheer Squad area preference will be given to members who participate in chants and use equipment. · We will support the team and the players, No abuse is to be directed towards players · Be mindful and respectful when using Social media, bringing the club or Cheer Squad into disrepute or the abuse of players, club or other Cheer Squad members will not be tolerated. This includes both making a post or responding to one made by another person (If asked to remove a post or photo please adhere to the request) Should Cheer Squad members fail to leave the Cheer Squad area when requested, security may be called to remove the Cheer Squad member from the area PLEASE, NO COMMENTING, SHARING OR TAGGING ON THIS POST, ALL COMMENTS AND TAGS WILL BE DELETED AND ANYONE MAKING ANY INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS WILL BE DEALT WITH.

[yandb]

I have been an country umpire for 30 years and over the years I have copped abuse in many forms.

It is an occupation for the thick skinned and mentaly tough just as the players who play the game have to be physically and mentally tough.

If the AFL umpires are mentally fragile and can't stand being called a green maggot then they are in the wrong profession.

Any attempt to P.C. sanitize our game will result in the fans not attending games.

Vilifying anyone for their race, sex, religion or politicial affiliation is not on and we all should condemn anyone involved.

To call an umpire a green maggot is a way to vent your frustration at his decision and I personally don't have an issue with it.

Today I had two spectators on different occasions give me a gobfull when I was near the boundary so I just smiled and gave them a quick wave as I moved on.

On both occasions both spectators gave up the abuse when they realized I wasn't upset but instead found their abuse amusing.

Where the abuse is not on is in junior matches where young umpires are plying their trade, left unchecked can result in young umpires walking away from the game.

There are two main pieces of our game

1 The players
2 The supporters

Sorry Gill as much as you overpaid and under worked administrators think how you are important you are the game would still go on if you all quit tomorrow.
 
But if the players quit or the supporters stopped going to or watching the matches the game would grind to a halt.( no supporters =no sponsors and no advertisers and no big payday for players )

Stop trying to turn the Football fans into Polo fans Gill.

[Jackstar is back!!!]

Another was asked to leave last night 🤦‍♂️

[WilliamPowell]

Welcome RichmondTiger

You need to add a link showing where your post came from

It clearly says it cannot be shared...

Our site rules are very clear

You post something from another site or source we require a proper link to reference back to