Social media was ablaze with controversy over the weekend after reports emerged of a Carlton spectator being removed from Marvel Stadium for abusing umpire Matthew Nicholls.
Reports conflicted as to whether the fan called Nicholls a “bald-headed flog” or a “bald-headed poof”, although the fan in question did call into Melbourne radio and insisted it was the former.
The vast majority of Twitter users were aghast, calling the move heavy-handed an infringement on the rights of fans to barrack and enjoy the game as they see fit.
But is that really the full story?
Is getting out of your seat, walking over to the umpire’s tunnel and hurling abuse directly to their face really ‘part of the game’?
Producer of the Game of Codes podcast and Roar assistant editor Stirling Coates jumped on the mic to make the case for the AFL adopting a tougher stance on fans who go out of their way to have a crack at the umps.
Listen to the discussion:
The ejection on Saturday is not the first high-profile incident of a fan being sanctioned for umpire abuse this year. A Richmond fan was suspended from attending AFL matches for three weeks after calling an umpire a “green maggot” earlier this season.
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
IAP
Guest
But who decides what's common sense? You seem to be missing Macca's point - at some stage someone has to determine what we're allowed to do, it's not black and white; what's deemed appropriate is purely subjective. We've started down this path of authorities controlling what people are allowed to say, rather than societal expectations, but where does it stop? Who gets to decide where it stops? It's absolutely a slippery slope that other countries have been down before. As far as society improving goes, I'd say that the level of civility and courtesy has dropped significantly, particularly in the last 15 years (pretty much with the advent of social media).
anon
Roar Pro
Do you feel in danger at the footy?
Johnno
Guest
OK.....which one of you flogs called the flog a flog?
Johnno
Guest
The issue here is not about cracking down on people who swear& abuse people. Barracking, and as loud as you want, is great for footy. I believe a common sense approach to cleaning this up is a no brainer. The issue is the way the AFL have treated the supporters. So much of this is just pure arrogance. The AFL say they haven’t issued an instruction to clamp down on abusiveness - who did then? Who organised the spies in the Richmond cheer squad then? Who told police to warn people for being too loud? It is obvious the AFL has and did. Now a marketing nightmare. They should have engaged the supporters and not treated them as having no stake in the AFL. That is the problem.
Kane
Guest
If you "gained" something then you would have "gotten" it not "get" it.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Sorry Sir, i have not got the ability to win this one, you will make a good school teacher.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
The thing is, I would expect the ability to know the difference between 'universities' and 'university's' to be gained long before you get to university age.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
You are right, in my day living in the country only one in a thousand could afford to go to university. From what i see now what is going on in the university's today is not all that crash hot.
Kewl
Guest
I’m not condoning racial abuse or threats but geez this is getting stupid
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Nothing wrong with that...:)
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Probably linked to declining education standards. The number of people who don’t understand the difference between ‘you’re’ and ‘your’ is astounding.
Kewl
Guest
We can all thank Goodes for this rubbish, retired and still ruining the game, sick of this PC garbage ruining all codes
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Your right there, if you lived in the 50s 60s 70s you really can see the declining of the society.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Spot on Richie, i am staggered that some subscribers on this site that do a little name calling themselves have gone all weak kneed on this one, rather humorous.
Ron The Bear
Roar Rookie
GO TIGERS! (at a hundred decibels)
RT
Roar Rookie
If only it were that simple. The AFL took 3 days to make any comment. Why? Perhaps they wanted to gauge public opinion because they have no confidence in their own convictions. A Richmond cheersquad member received a 3 match ban for "green maggot". Why? Is there more to it? Other cheersquad members have also been thrown out since. The AFL says it is nothing to do with them, but they also told Richmond they would act if the penalty was not sufficient, so someone is being untruthful. A Collingwood supporter was told by police not to cheer so loudly. The AFL says there has been no change to anything but who believes them?
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Mate, I am. Remember you're the one wanting to abuse people, not me. Might be a good opportunity to take your own advice champ...
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Good call Ron, the AFL are not banning or taking action against the guy, common sense prevails. A storm in a tea cup so to speak.
Ron The Bear
Roar Rookie
Turn around and watch the game, mate.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Thanks for proving my point Sam. So predictable.