A Collingwood supporter who reached over the fence to seize West Coast’s Harvey Johnston on the weekend has been banned from attending matches for the remainder of the yr.
The incident occurred within the fourth quarter of Collingwood’s 66-point win over West Coast at Docklands Stadium on Sunday, when the fan grabbed at Johnston earlier than patting him on the pinnacle and taking the soccer from him as Johnston chased a ball over the boundary line.
After investigating the incident, the AFL handed the fan a 12-month ban, with six months suspended. Collingwood has additionally suspended the person’s membership.
“Whereas we acknowledge the innocuous nature through which the incident performed out on the day, most of these interactions shouldn’t occur. Grabbing a participant from over the fence may have doubtlessly escalated if it wasn’t for the skilled method through which Eagles participant Harvey responded,” AFL basic counsel Stephen Meade stated.
“We additionally acknowledge the fan concerned proactively made himself recognized to safety and police and apologised to each Collingwood, West Coast and the AFL, and recognise his speedy understanding of his actions not being acceptable.
“We now have the most effective followers in sport, and greater than 3.1 million folks have attended the footy this yr and we wish everybody who involves video games to barrack for his or her membership and benefit from the expertise, however if you overstep the clear boundaries, which is what occurred on the weekend, then you’ll lose the privilege of with the ability to attend the footy.
“Reinforcing what we communicated final yr — we love the interactions between gamers and followers particularly within the moments pre and post-game, and the event in-game when a participant celebrates together with his membership’s followers — nevertheless, what we noticed on Sunday through the match will not be acceptable.”
After being banned, the fan, revealed to be Collingwood member Justin Witcombe, expressed his regret over the incident.
“I simply noticed the ball come to the fence and I simply form of stood up and it simply occurred,” he instructed 9 Information Melbourne.
“It was only a reflex response and it was only a pat on the pinnacle and the ball got here unfastened and I handballed it to the umpire.
“I will look within the digital camera and say I am very sorry for this. It will not occur once more. I’ll be taught from this and I’ll turn into a greater individual for it.
“At no stage did he ever give me permission to place my fingers on him and it is uncalled for and never acceptable in at present’s world.
“I am actually sorry for my household, I’ve embarrassed myself and them. I used to be there as a household man and I left a damaged man.”
The incident is not with out precedent within the AFL. Final yr, a fan was banned from attending matches till the tip of 2024 after reaching over the fence to seize Richmond’s Marlion Pickett.
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