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Lethal: umpires deserve better
13 April 2004 Herald Sun
Paul Malone
THE AFL will today consider whether to carpet Collingwood president Eddie McGuire over his telecast comments that a Queensland rookie official was "the goal umpire from hell".
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews said he expects McGuire will be given a "please explain" letter by the AFL over his criticism of first-game goal umpire Brent Fewkes.
Fewkes made two contentious calls in last Thursday's Collingwood-Brisbane game.
Matthews warned that disrespect shown to umpires is "one of the great problems" in the AFL.
AFL Umpires Association president David Howlett said McGuire's criticism as a match commentator for Channel 9 was little different to when Essendon captain James Hird said that umpire Scott McLaren "was not doing the right thing by us".
Hird yesterday said he apologised if he had offended McLaren, but could be fined up to $5000 by the AFL as early as today.
The AFL Commission will decide whether to suspend or deregister Hird for his criticism of the umpire. Hird said his comments were inappropriate.
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said AFL rules did permit for action to be taken against club presidents.
Matthews said despite McGuire's media employment it was beholden of club officials to not be "publicly denigrating of umpires".
"You are clearly first and foremost a club official. Second to that, you are working in the media, but there are many footballers working in the media," said Matthews, who has extensive experience as a media pundit.
"If any official or player is denigrating or demeaning to an umpire publicly, then the 'please explain' letter goes out and action is taken unless there is some contributing circumstance.
"We get frustrated and disappointed (with umpiring decisions), but we have to bite our tongues.
"The discouragement it (criticism) gives to people who may take up umpiring more than justifies a really hardline attitude.
"One of the great problems in our game and any sport is respect for officials.
"I'm incredibly disappointed when I go to a game of footy and if they introduce the umpires before the game everyone boos."
Asked if the wider issue of McGuire's role as a commentator conflicting with reponsibilities as a club president was a concern for the AFL, Keane said: "That would be an issue for Channel 9, as to how he is perceived as a broadcaster."
McGuire's commentary on games involving Collingwood continues to rankle with many fans of other clubs.
13 April 2004 Herald Sun
Paul Malone
THE AFL will today consider whether to carpet Collingwood president Eddie McGuire over his telecast comments that a Queensland rookie official was "the goal umpire from hell".
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews said he expects McGuire will be given a "please explain" letter by the AFL over his criticism of first-game goal umpire Brent Fewkes.
Fewkes made two contentious calls in last Thursday's Collingwood-Brisbane game.
Matthews warned that disrespect shown to umpires is "one of the great problems" in the AFL.
AFL Umpires Association president David Howlett said McGuire's criticism as a match commentator for Channel 9 was little different to when Essendon captain James Hird said that umpire Scott McLaren "was not doing the right thing by us".
Hird yesterday said he apologised if he had offended McLaren, but could be fined up to $5000 by the AFL as early as today.
The AFL Commission will decide whether to suspend or deregister Hird for his criticism of the umpire. Hird said his comments were inappropriate.
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said AFL rules did permit for action to be taken against club presidents.
Matthews said despite McGuire's media employment it was beholden of club officials to not be "publicly denigrating of umpires".
"You are clearly first and foremost a club official. Second to that, you are working in the media, but there are many footballers working in the media," said Matthews, who has extensive experience as a media pundit.
"If any official or player is denigrating or demeaning to an umpire publicly, then the 'please explain' letter goes out and action is taken unless there is some contributing circumstance.
"We get frustrated and disappointed (with umpiring decisions), but we have to bite our tongues.
"The discouragement it (criticism) gives to people who may take up umpiring more than justifies a really hardline attitude.
"One of the great problems in our game and any sport is respect for officials.
"I'm incredibly disappointed when I go to a game of footy and if they introduce the umpires before the game everyone boos."
Asked if the wider issue of McGuire's role as a commentator conflicting with reponsibilities as a club president was a concern for the AFL, Keane said: "That would be an issue for Channel 9, as to how he is perceived as a broadcaster."
McGuire's commentary on games involving Collingwood continues to rankle with many fans of other clubs.
) if an AFL president slams the umps rather than a player.
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