A Richmond cheer squad member was banned from sitting in the cheer squad for three matches after being found to have shouted: “be consistent, you green maggot” in a Tigers game last month.
A memo by the Richmond cheer squad said the member was ejected from the MCG during Richmonds ANZAC Day Eve 85-42 win over Melbourne for allegedly making a homophobic remark towards the umpire.
After the incident the cheer squad also said it will hold a cultural awareness session.
Happier times: Richmond cheer squad members before their 2017 grand final win.Credit:Justin McManus
It was later discovered the member said “be consistent, you green maggot”, which was deemed to be “offensive and bullying”.
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A Richmond spokeswoman confirmed the three-game ban was handed down by the club and cheer squad, and said the fan was "happy to take that, and we move on".
“The football field is the umpires place of work and it is seen that any abuse directed towards them or any on-field official is deemed as work place bullying and will not be tolerated,” the memo said.
AFL Fans Association vice-president and Richmond cheer squad member Cheryl Critchley said fans were becoming unsure of how they could behave at matches.
"The AFL Fans Association would never condone umpire abuse, but cheer squad members are now worried about what they can and cant say at games," she said.
"Umpire abuse is unacceptable, but where do you draw the line about what fans can say in the heat of the moment at games? AFL cheer squads are generally very well behaved and most have their own code of conduct."
Richmond will also hold a “cultural awareness session for the cheer squad to provide perspective and information on this matter,” according to the memo.
An AFL spokesman confirmed the league was not involved in the ban, and said it was a matter for the club and cheer squad.
In its memo to fans, the Richmond cheer squad said members should “refrain from making any derogatory comments towards anyone be it on field or off”.
“Doing so may result in disciplinary action being taken by the cheer squad, club or AFL.”
The treatment of umpires from grassroots to the AFL has been a hot topic so far this season.
Earlier this month, the AFL sent a “please explain” to Carlton after cheer squad members were heard singing: “The umpires a wanker…” in their match against Collingwood at the MCG.
The Richmond cheer squad code of conduct states members are "expected to behave in a manner that does not bring the cheeRead More – Source
A Richmond cheer squad member was banned from sitting in the cheer squad for three matches after being found to have shouted: “be consistent, you green maggot” in a Tigers game last month.
A memo by the Richmond cheer squad said the member was ejected from the MCG during Richmonds ANZAC Day Eve 85-42 win over Melbourne for allegedly making a homophobic remark towards the umpire.
After the incident the cheer squad also said it will hold a cultural awareness session.
Happier times: Richmond cheer squad members before their 2017 grand final win.Credit:Justin McManus
It was later discovered the member said “be consistent, you green maggot”, which was deemed to be “offensive and bullying”.
Advertisement
A Richmond spokeswoman confirmed the three-game ban was handed down by the club and cheer squad, and said the fan was "happy to take that, and we move on".
“The football field is the umpires place of work and it is seen that any abuse directed towards them or any on-field official is deemed as work place bullying and will not be tolerated,” the memo said.
AFL Fans Association vice-president and Richmond cheer squad member Cheryl Critchley said fans were becoming unsure of how they could behave at matches.
"The AFL Fans Association would never condone umpire abuse, but cheer squad members are now worried about what they can and cant say at games," she said.
"Umpire abuse is unacceptable, but where do you draw the line about what fans can say in the heat of the moment at games? AFL cheer squads are generally very well behaved and most have their own code of conduct."
Richmond will also hold a “cultural awareness session for the cheer squad to provide perspective and information on this matter,” according to the memo.
An AFL spokesman confirmed the league was not involved in the ban, and said it was a matter for the club and cheer squad.
In its memo to fans, the Richmond cheer squad said members should “refrain from making any derogatory comments towards anyone be it on field or off”.
“Doing so may result in disciplinary action being taken by the cheer squad, club or AFL.”
The treatment of umpires from grassroots to the AFL has been a hot topic so far this season.
Earlier this month, the AFL sent a “please explain” to Carlton after cheer squad members were heard singing: “The umpires a wanker…” in their match against Collingwood at the MCG.
The Richmond cheer squad code of conduct states members are "expected to behave in a manner that does not bring the cheeRead More – Source
