Fan Faces Spitting Charge

[pies4ever]

Fan faces spitting charge
By Mark Buttler, chief police reporter
April 26, 2004

POLICE are set to charge a man with spitting at Richmond coach Danny Frawley during halftime at Friday night's game.

And they are hunting another spitter who police believe took aim near the Telstra Dome players' race at the match's end.

Police are expected to view video footage and speak to Richmond officials in their pursuit of the second offender.

The man police have already interviewed is expected to be charged on summons with offensive behaviour, which carries a maximum sentence of a $1000 fine and two months' jail.

A man, 25, spat at Frawley as he led his players from the field on Friday night after a lamentable first-half performance against Adelaide.

Richmond legend Jim Jess yesterday condemned the incident.

He said fans were entitled to be dissatisfied with the club, but spitting and abuse could not be tolerated.

Jess said Frawley did not deserve such treatment.

"That's not acceptable. It's unwarranted. Danny's a good bloke. He's universally respected by the people who know him," Jess said.

He said while the vast majority of Richmond fans were good people, "there'll always be a couple of d---heads".

Richmond cheer squad president David Norman said Tiger fans were passionate but there was no excuse for spitting on the coach or players.

Mr Norman said there appeared to be an element who were keen to get their faces in the media by whatever means.

He said he was disappointed with the way the season was panning out, but true fans would not drop off.

"I'll be back there on Wednesday making a brand-new banner."

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said such conduct was not acceptable.

"That's something we need to look at because it's the sort of behaviour we obviously don't encourage. It's not good for footy," he told Triple M radio.

Herald Sun


cheers bryan..!!

[pies4ever]

Spitting forces barrier idea
Tanya Giles and Mark Buttler
27apr04

INFLATABLE protective buffers could be used at AFL grounds in the wake of the spitting outrage by Richmond fans.


AFL general manager Andrew Demetriou said yesterday a football operations meeting had discussed the buffers as one way to shield coaches and officials.
If adopted, they would be installed at races where players and officials are open to attack as they enter and leave grounds.

Mr Demetriou's comments came in the wake of last Friday night's incident when Tiger coach Danny Frawley was spat upon after his team's poor performance against Adelaide.

"I hope we don't have to go to these measures because I think, in the main, you can go along to the footy and enjoy your football in safety and not have to tolerate that sort of activity because spitting is just unacceptable and inexcusable," Mr Demetriou said.

Police are believed to have spoken to a second football fan over the incident.

They had earlier interviewed one man who is expected to be charged on summons with offensive behaviour.

He was apprehended by security guards soon after spitting down the players' race.

Police and security are expected to be on high alert at Telstra Dome this Friday as Richmond faces another crunch game, this time against similarly embattled Hawthorn.

There are concerns that Tiger fans disgusted by the spitting ruckus could confront the perpetrators.

Premier Steve Bracks expressed dismay at the behaviour and said he would support any action that helped stop footy hoons.

Richmond chief executive Ian Campbell urged calm from all fans. He said the club yesterday received 500 e-mails backing the club.


cheers bryan..!!

[Culprit]

Stick him a room with the players for a few minutes. Lets see who spits or *hits first.