Forward Press
Hall of Famer
The league is clearly taking a zero tolerance policy when it comes to umpire abuse, which I have no issue with at all.
If a customer came up to me while I was at work and started calling me a red maggot or prick, they’d be asked to leave my store.
When you attend an AFL match, you’re entering a workplace for the players, umpires, officials, etc. Being a ‘footy game’ doesn’t mean it’s not workplace abuse.
Perhaps but at a sporting match there is a degree of latitude for certain forms of abuse that otherwise won't be tolerated in an office. Just like there is a latitude for certain forms of assault (eg crash tackling your boss in the office isn't going to end well normally).
I think jeers related to the eyesight of an umpire are normal and part of the job but homophobic abuse certainly is not.