'This isn't the classroom or office': Footy fans want clarity on abuseZach Hope
The Age
June 11, 2019 Footy fans are demanding the AFL provide a list of words they can and can't say from behind the fence amid a growing public backlash over recent bans and evictions.
The AFL Fans Association has thrown its weight behind calls from the Richmond cheer squad for clarity about the greying line between age-old, passionate sideline commentary and unacceptable abuse.
It comes as the AFL is set to release its review on Tuesday into the eviction of a fan from Saturday's Carlton versus Brisbane Lions match at Marvel Stadium for supposedly calling an umpire a "bald-headed flog", though there is debate about the actual words used.
AFLFA president Gerry Eeman told The Age it made "real sense" for the AFL to explain to fans what was now considered unacceptable.
"We've been told that there hasn't been any changes by the AFL, but clearly something's shifted," Mr Eeman said.
"We don't condone yelling out abuse, but we think some allowance for footy being an emotional game needs to be made. This isn't the classroom or office, it's a different environment."
One punter has claimed on Twitter that police visited a fan at Monday's Collingwood and Melbourne clash over his "loud support" of a goal.
Another Twitter user claimed four men who "weren't even doing anything" were thrown out near her.
The AFLFA is investigating the veracity of the latest allegations from fans.
The demands for clarity follow a three-match ban handed down to a Richmond cheer squad member for calling an umpire a "green maggot", though the exact nature of these words has also been disputed.
Cartlon's cheer squad was also recently investigated about the banging of a drum. There had been an initial belief that the AFL was investigating comments in which an umpire was labelled a "wanker".
Mr Eeman was not aware of reports in the Herald Sun that three Tigers fans had been booted from the Richmond versus North Melbourne game, one of them for apparently calling an umpire a "dog".
But he was supportive of reports in the same story that Richmond was calling on the AFL to provide an acceptable phrase list.
He said the AFLFA would back them up by contacting the league with its own concerns.
"We were told about someone using the word "flog", though I note there's still debate about what he said, but if you're going to kick people out for words like flog you might have to kick out a couple thousand people each game," he said.
He said the AFLFA did not condone the kind of booing copped each week by Geelong star Gary Ablett, but warned "If you want to guarantee people to boo, then tell them they shouldn't boo".
The calls for clarity and the AFL's review into the "flog" remark comes during an increased push to protect umpires and encourage more into the game.
"It's a really tough job being an umpire," Mr Eeman said. "We get frustrated at them, but it's a really hard job – especially with our game, it's so unique.
"I understand why they want to cut out umpire abuse, but we don't want to break a walnut with a sledgehammer."
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/this-isn-t-the-classroom-or-office-footy-fans-want-clarity-on-abuse-20190610-p51wal.html
