With an eye on finals coming up for plenty of teams, the Riddell District Football Netball League has emphasised it has a zero tolerance policy towards poor behaviour.
“We are asking all clubs to speak to their players and let them know that umpires will be cracking down on dissent and will be awarding 50-metre penalties where appropriate.
“We do not want a final to be decided on the back of umpire abuse, no matter how big or small the incident may seem,” stated Grace Bibby — the league’s General Manager Operations — in the weekly Record publication for last Saturday’s round 14 matches.
“There will be zero tolerance. Clubs do not have to agree with decisions, but they do need to be respectful.”
Bibby stated the standard of umpiring can be frustrating at times, but the league is acutely aware the umpiring group is in a development stage.
“We also have experienced umpires in the latter stages of their careers.
“What we are asking for is common respect from both umpires towards players and players towards umpires.
“We simply cannot have football without umpires.”
A MESSAGE FOR OFFICIALS
Bibby also had a strong message for officials (runners, water carriers and trainers).
If a melee at any level occurs, under no circumstances are any officials to become involved.
“All officials should immediately make their way back to their team’s interchange, as required under the Laws of the Game.
“If the league receives a report of an official engaging in a melee, either verbally or physically, that official will automatically be suspended (up to eight weeks) at the league’s discretion.
“If the incident occurs later in the season, the suspension will extend into next season.”
The general manager revealed that there have been too many instances of officials becoming involved this season, and when they do, they have the ability to escalate a situation rather than de-escalate it.
Runners and water carriers were advised they should be delivering water or a message, and then they should be getting off the ground — not hovering around!
Bibby suggested anyone requiring further clarification should contact her.
Optimistically, the league looks forward to a much better spectacle over the coming weeks and into the junior and senior finals series.