J
Justin Murphy
Guest
A FIELD umpire from yesterday's Melbourne-Geelong match at the MCG will today cite Melbourne's David Schwarz for racially vilifying Geelong's Justin Murphy for comments made by the Demon forward during the match.
It is understood that Murphy, an aborigine and former Carlton premiership player, complained to Geelong officials and the umpire about Schwarz's comments. The umpire was nearby.
Murphy appeared to berate Schwarz as the teams headed to their separate huddles at quarter-time.
Geelong and Melbourne officials, bound by the AFL's strict confidentiality rules surrounding racial vilification complaints, refused to comment last night.
Racism within AFL ranks was brought to public attention in dramatic fashion by former St Kilda star Nicky Winmar in 1993 when he responded to racial taunts from Collingwood supporters by lifting up his jumper and pointing to his skin colour.
The anti-vilification introduced in response were then tested in 1995 by a highly publicised case involving Essendon's Michael Long and former Collingwood ruckman Damian Monkhorst which ended in mediation.
Since the AFL introduced the stringent anti-racial laws there have been very few cases reported by any clubs.
The most recent case was in September 1999, when Bulldog Steve Kolyniuk complained about racist comments made former Lion Steven Lawrence. That case was also resolved by mediation.
Under the AFL's framework for dealing with racial or religious vilification, the players involved must undergo a mediation session. If that fails, the case is then referred to the AFL tribunal.
Murphy was visibly upset during the quarter-time interval and played a poor game for the Cats in the midfield, where Geelong were soundly beaten by Melbourne for most of the match.
Recruited to Geelong at the end of last season after failing to come to terms with the Blues, Murphy was among the Cats' best in their opening round win against West Coast at Kardinia Park. This was his first match back after serving one match for striking.
"Justin was very good for us in the first round but then missed a week because of the tribunal," Geelong coach Mark Thompson said after the match. "But he didn't have a good day today."
Schwarz was among Melbourne's best players and seems to be relishing a mutual decision between him and Neale Daniher to relinquish the club vice-captaincy. The decision was made before the season began.
The incident marred an otherwise exciting and entertaining Easter Monday battle at the MCG in near perfect conditions.
It is understood that Murphy, an aborigine and former Carlton premiership player, complained to Geelong officials and the umpire about Schwarz's comments. The umpire was nearby.
Murphy appeared to berate Schwarz as the teams headed to their separate huddles at quarter-time.
Geelong and Melbourne officials, bound by the AFL's strict confidentiality rules surrounding racial vilification complaints, refused to comment last night.
Racism within AFL ranks was brought to public attention in dramatic fashion by former St Kilda star Nicky Winmar in 1993 when he responded to racial taunts from Collingwood supporters by lifting up his jumper and pointing to his skin colour.
The anti-vilification introduced in response were then tested in 1995 by a highly publicised case involving Essendon's Michael Long and former Collingwood ruckman Damian Monkhorst which ended in mediation.
Since the AFL introduced the stringent anti-racial laws there have been very few cases reported by any clubs.
The most recent case was in September 1999, when Bulldog Steve Kolyniuk complained about racist comments made former Lion Steven Lawrence. That case was also resolved by mediation.
Under the AFL's framework for dealing with racial or religious vilification, the players involved must undergo a mediation session. If that fails, the case is then referred to the AFL tribunal.
Murphy was visibly upset during the quarter-time interval and played a poor game for the Cats in the midfield, where Geelong were soundly beaten by Melbourne for most of the match.
Recruited to Geelong at the end of last season after failing to come to terms with the Blues, Murphy was among the Cats' best in their opening round win against West Coast at Kardinia Park. This was his first match back after serving one match for striking.
"Justin was very good for us in the first round but then missed a week because of the tribunal," Geelong coach Mark Thompson said after the match. "But he didn't have a good day today."
Schwarz was among Melbourne's best players and seems to be relishing a mutual decision between him and Neale Daniher to relinquish the club vice-captaincy. The decision was made before the season began.
The incident marred an otherwise exciting and entertaining Easter Monday battle at the MCG in near perfect conditions.
