umpires bashed in the nt

[bayman]

Football umpires bashed at NT final

MATT CUNNINGHAM

August 17th, 2008

TWO umpires were tackled to the ground by spectators and then beaten with the goal umpires' flags after a Top End football final yesterday.

Police were called to the Yirrkala football ground after the violence erupted following the preliminary final between Gopu and Baywara, which Gopu won by 63 points.

Witnesses told the Sunday Territorian the umpires were standing near the middle of the field after the final siren, when two men ran out of the crowd and attacked them.

They were wrestled to the ground, punched in the head and then hit with the goal umpire's flags.

Other supporters had to pull the men off the umpires.

The umpires were then taken to the Gove District Hospital, where they were treated for bruises and lacerations to the head.

Police last night confirmed they were investigating the incident but no charges had been laid.

The Sunday Territorian understands one of the alleged offenders was a Baywara player who had been suspended four weeks earlier for pushing an umpire.

Gove AFL president Syd Stirling said the league would hold a thorough investigation into the incident and the suspended player would have to face the GAFL tribunal.

He said the incident had marred an otherwise outstanding year for the GAFL, with alcohol restrictions leading to a stronger competition.

"I'm extremely disappointed," he said.

"It's been a terrific year and the standard of footy has risen 30 per cent with the introduction of alcohol permits."

Mr Stirling said violent behaviour would not be tolerated at GAFL games.

"My view would be those who were clearly identified and involved would be facing some sort of hearing," he said.

[bayman]

this is disgraceful & if this player is found to be the culprit he should get life & the other spectator be banned for the same

[Adelaide Hawk]

I hope this story reaches the attention of AFL coaches at press conferences who think it's okay to suggest umpires were the reason for a loss.

They encourage supporters to feel the same way, and we see instances on this forum of people blaming umpires for losing. It only takes one brain dead psycho believing it true to become a problem.

I've been to amateur games and been amazed by the constant torrent of abuse towards umpires from both spectators and supporters, and it's time these people grew up.

I wouldn't be an umpire for any amount of riches, and I'm grateful to those who take it up.

[Adelaide Hawk]

this is disgraceful & if this player is found to be the culprit he should get life & the other spectator be baned for the same

Banned? Bayman, they should be imprisoned. I'm serious.

[stan]

no matter how bad the umpire was this its truely won of the worst things to happen in football.

[TigerBoss]

Hi serious. I'm TB.

Must admit, over the years, I've been so enraged by certain members of the umpiring fraternity that I have wanted to leap the fence and give them a 1-24 around the ears with some sort of weaponry, but I've never been STUPID enough to think I could do it and get away with it.

Got to feel for the umpires - the poor buggers will NEVER please everyone.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Hi serious. I'm TB.

Must admit, over the years, I've been so enraged by certain members of the umpiring fraternity that I have wanted to leap the fence and give them a 1-24 around the ears with some sort of weaponry, but I've never been STUPID enough to think I could do it and get away with it.

Got to feel for the umpires - the poor buggers will NEVER please everyone.

And this is a weakness in our game that we cannot educate the public to accept umpiring, no matter how poor they feel they are performing. Boofhead coaches like Malthouse and Laidley don't help, and I was very disappointed to hear my own Clarko joke about number 17 being a good player for Geelong. Not necessary Clarko!!

There is an element in football who suggest we should be allowed to say whatever we want about umpires. Can you imagine the circus it would become if every coach, player, member of the media, etc were able to say precisely what they wanted about umpiring?

You'd have umpires dropping off in large numbers, and then we really WOULD have an umpiring problem.

[Psyber]

this is disgraceful & if this player is found to be the culprit he should get life & the other spectator be baned for the same

Banned? Bayman, they should be imprisoned. I'm serious.

I agree - it sounds like assault and GBH to me. I'd apply it to guys like Barry Hall too.

[Jimmy]

what idiots...

[JAS]

Absolutely disgusting behaviour and there can be no excuse for it. Not only should they get a life ban but as AH says imprisonment too for assult. If that's how their lack of self-control lets them behave towards an umpire I dread to think what they'd do to the wife and kids back home.

I asssume these are not the same teams that had that mass punch-up with players and spectators not so long ago...there was a video clip of it on here but I don't remember what teams.

Regards
JAS

[purch]

I asssume these are not the same teams that had that mass punch-up with players and spectators not so long ago...there was a video clip of it on here but I don't remember what teams.

Regards
JAS

You don't mean this do you JAS? http://www.australianrules.com.au/2004stories/lovelost.html

North Cairns Vs Port Douglas in a GF.

[JAS]

I asssume these are not the same teams that had that mass punch-up with players and spectators not so long ago...there was a video clip of it on here but I don't remember what teams.

Regards
JAS

You don't mean this do you JAS? http://www.australianrules.com.au/2004stories/lovelost.html

North Cairns Vs Port Douglas in a GF.

Thanks but I don't think that's the one. IIRC the video clip was from a newspaper website...it was only posted on here within the last year and I thought it was a report on a match played that day. I do remember that the commentator sounded like he'd gargled with a quarry full of gravel. Very deep gravely voice and he was furious about what was happening.

I'll have a cuppa and a trawl back through the forum...bound to find it eventually.

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

Sods law...found it

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10402

...and it's not the same teams.

Regards
JAS

*edit*...checked on YouTube...the video was removed...probably due to police being involved.