Vic: Spitting fan to be blacklisted from footy - REPEAT

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2004
Vic: Spitting fan to be blacklisted from footy - REPEAT

MELBOURNE, April 26 AAP - The AFL is considering blacklisting a football fan who spat
at AFL Richmond coach Danny Frawley during halftime at Friday night's game against Adelaide.

The 25-year-old man, who has not been identified, was expected to be charged by police
after he took aim at Frawley as he led his players from the field on Friday at Melbourne's
Telstra Dome.

The action drew condemnation from AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and state Premier
Steve Bracks today.

Mr Demetriou described the incident as "unAustralian": "We won't tolerate that in our game".

"We will certainly be taking action - if that person is a member of a football club
- in having that membership revoked," he said.

"And we're even looking at even banning that person from attending football for a period
of time."

Mr Demetriou said a football operations meeting today had also discussed the issue
of covering the players' race onto the ground.

"I think there are things they can do and they are looking at them at the moment," he said.

"I hope we don't have to go to those measures."

Mr Bracks joined in condemning the conduct and said he supported whatever action the
AFL took against the man.

Both men said the incident went against the family-friendly atmosphere of the game
in recent times.

"It was certainly unacceptable and it's against what really has been the direction
of football and involvement in football up to date," Mr Bracks said.

Victoria Police chief commissioner Christine Nixon today said the "appalling" behaviour
would not be tolerated.

"I give fair warning to others that that behaviour won't be tolerated within policing
and within football and we should be looking at each other and wondering how football
has degenerated."

The man is expected to be charged on summons with offensive behaviour, which carries
a maximum sentence of a $1,000 fine and two months' jail.

Police are also looking for a second man who is believed to have spat at players near
the Telstra Dome players' race at the end of the match.

Richmond suffered a humiliating 75 point loss to Adelaide in the game.

AAP nl/dk/sjb/jlw

KEYWORD: AFL SPIT NIGHTLEAD

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.