The AFL tribunal has been criticised for considering character references in handing Bachar Houli a two-match ban for knocking out Carlton’s Jed Lamb.
Houli was found guilty of striking Lamb in conduct deemed intentional, with high impact to the head, that left the Blues forward laid out on the MCG turf.
The AFL argued for a four-week sanction.
But Houli is known as one of the game’s good guys, particularly for his work in the community, and Richmond could contemplate appealing the suspension.
On Tuesday, the tribunal jury – David Neitz, Hamish McIntosh and Wayne Henwood – dismissed Houli’s argument the incident was careless instead of intentional conduct.
But they sparked outcry when they handed down the two-game sanction, citing his exemplary character.
References from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Network Ten presenter Waleed Aly were a key part of the jury’s penalty deliberations, much to the consternation of AFL match review panel member Nathan Burke.
“I would probably much prefer if you just looked purely at the incident and graded it on that,” Burke told Fox Sports News.
“If you start bringing in ‘this bloke’s a good bloke, this bloke’s not a good bloke’, who are we to actually judge who is a good bloke and who isn’t in the first place?
“And then what we end up with are disparate sentences. If somebody goes in next week and does exactly the same thing but doesn’t know Waleed Aly, doesn’t know the prime minister, does that mean they get three or four weeks?”
Former tribunal member Daniel Harford says Houli’s ban is “absolutely, manifestly inadequate” and rubbing him out for six weeks could be considered a fair punishment.
He expects the AFL to appeal the sentence.
“You cannot have a situation with a player willingly, which was deemed by the tribunal, hitting someone … with force enough to knock someone out cold, to serve a two-week suspension,” Harford said on RSN radio on Wednesday.
“I don’t care how good a bloke is Monday to Friday.
“It’s no relevance to what he does on the field.”
The case was referred directly to the tribunal under the match review panel guidelines but the final sanction is the same as it would have been if it had been assessed as careless conduct with high impact to the head – three games down to two with an early plea.
Although Houli appeared to get off lightly, Richmond may appeal the verdict on his behalf.
The devout Muslim was clearly disappointed by the finding after stating in his evidence.
“I’ve never, ever, intended to hurt anyone – it’s part of my practice of my religion. I’m a peaceful person,” he said.
The 29-year-old has played 162 AFL games over 11 seasons and eight years as a junior without being suspended.
His only disciplinary blemish was a fine for wrestling Greater Western Sydney’s Rhys Palmer in 2014.
Jackpott
Guest
He was in Melbourne to hand out taxpayers money.
Mark
Guest
You're insufferable.
Mark
Guest
Using the phrase "race card" - a certain signifier of an intellectual heavyweight.
anon
Roar Pro
It's like treating the symptoms of an illness and not the illness itself. Hmmm...
BigAl
Guest
Certainly not trying to be funny! - you miss the point. This would have to be a tactic thought up by the Richmond '... defence team' to haul in some character references from high profile-know nothing about footy people.
Bob GOOCH
Guest
So we are spending money to prevent Muslim radicalisation ! Please where did you drag that one from - the Koran !
northerner
Guest
I'm always in favour of spending a few taxpayer bucks on organizations that keep kids from being radicalized - it makes a nice change from paying for the pollies to attend meaningless conferences or paying for tv advertising about how wonderful their programs all are.
Penster
Roar Guru
It is weird, that observable, incontrovertible video evidence from a number of different angles is shown, yet so much weight is given to subjective "good bloke" testimonies from people he's briefly collaborated with on isolated projects instead. Malcolm Turnbull looks like a bit of a goose involving himself with onfield footy thuggery. I can't help but wonder if Bashar is setting himself up for a booing saga to use as "awareness" for the plight of Muslims in Australia. Hope not, but he's deliberately courting adverse crowd reactions by invoking politics and religion in sport.
Bob GOOCH
Guest
Give me a break - now our hero Malcolm has donated $650,000.00 of taxpayers money to the Houli Acadamey - where does this money go - support for the poor hard done by Muslim community - good on you Malcolm, in the name of multiculturism - please ! Hoolee Doolee
Kaks
Roar Guru
Why settle at 2 weeks? Life ban for Waleed's involvement seems more just.
bobburra
Guest
I don't know what game you were watching, but THAT WAS NO FENDING OFF, that was back handed round arm, and off the ball to boot.Should have been at least three weeks. Now that the AFL will appeal, he will get what he deserves.
Kane
Guest
And then the race card will be drawn out of the pack again, ala Adam Goodes.
Beejessome
Guest
Hopefully the left jump to the defence of this poor Muslim victim - discrimination of course. The preceding statement was meant to be sarcasm in case you are in any doubt. Seriously he was fending off an opponent who was grabbing. It was reckless but not intentional and he has a good record. Meanwhile the usual Fairfax press over-reaction determined to bag Waleed Aly, a Channel Ten identity (Fairfax lined with Nine network) and the PM who they loathe, equated the strike to Barry Hall strike on Staker. The usual Fairfax gross over-reaction or perhaps a chance to bag the AFL.
Bead
Roar Rookie
Would never have expected a devout Muslim to do that to a Lamb.
bobburra
Guest
By far the best comment on this topic. I dare say though, it will not happen.
themadchatter
Guest
If he is of good character Houli should admit what he did was an action of stupidity in the moment and he should surrender himself to extra weeks off playing footy than the 2 weeks suspension received by the Tribunal
Penster
Roar Guru
Sadly no, Birdman. The tribunal made it quite clear that his Good Bloke references were what got him a reduced sentence. He's gonna get booed .............
Cat
Roar Guru
I'm sure you think you are being funny – you're not – but how do you blame Richmond? Richmond didn't whack anyone. Richmond didn't send Houli straight to the tribunal. Richmond hasn't appealed the penalty.
BigAl
Guest
This intervention is ridiculous, and more importantly will do irreparable damage to the career of Bachar Houli ! I can see him copping it a la Adam Goodes from opposition fans for the rest of his playing days ! I blame Richmond for this !!!
Don Freo
Guest
A character reference is a weird thing to admit to a tribunal hearing. If someone is guilty of whacking someone, it doesn't matter what you have done in the sociocultural sphere...or who you know. What's the link? Malcolm will still like him whether he misses 2 weeks or 4 weeks.