Leeton-Whitton have appealed a two-game suspension and $700 fine issued to coach Daniel Muir.
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AFL Riverina allege Muir breached four provisions of AFL NSW-ACT's code of conduct when making comments after umpiring standards last month.
Muir was issued with a show cause notice last week and attended a hearing with AFL Riverina's code of conduct committee, where he was suspended from coaching for the next two weeks and fined $700, $500 of which is suspended.
In a The Daily Advertiser story, Muir labelled the umpiring in a loss to Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong as 'disgraceful' and questioned whether the standard was improving, among other issues.
AFL Riverina allege Muir agreed that he had breached four provisions of the code of conduct during the hearing, prompting the penalty that the Crows were informed of this week.
It is understood that the Crows have appealed the severity of the punishment, given it was Muir's first offence, and some of the process.
The appeal will be dealt with by an independent appeals chairperson, who will determine whether there is valid grounds to proceed.
AFL Southern NSW community football and facilities manager, Paul Habel, said Muir's comments were a clear breach of the code of conduct.
"It clearly states in the regulations about making comments via the media, in any format, criticising umpires, or other players or clubs," Habel said.
"Daniel also comes under the coaches code of conduct, which he has also breached by making those comments."
Under the terms of the suspension, despite the Crows' appeal, Muir will be unable to coach the Crows' in Saturday's game against Narrandera at Leeton Showground.
He is also unable to coach the Crows against Collingullie-Glenfield Park on Saturday week, but the Crows hope to have heard back on their appeal by then.
Muir, or Leeton-Whitton, did not want to comment on the case.
The four provisions AFL Riverina allege Muir breached are as follows:
- (a) Not bring the game of Australian Football, the AFL, AFL NSW/ACT or the League or the Club into disrepute;
- (b) Display and foster respect for Umpires, opponents, Coaches, administrators, Officials, parents and spectators;
- (c) Comply with the AFL and AFL NSW/ACT Rules and Regulations including the National Member Protection Policy, the League By-Laws and this Code of Conduct;
- (c) Not make or post inappropriate, offensive or discriminatory comments in public, including via social media, about Players, Clubs, Umpires, Officials, the AFL, AFLNSW/ACT or the League.
Habel and three other members of the AFL NSW-ACT staff, along with Riverina League president Chris Flanigan, formed the code of conduct committee.
It continues a frustrating first season as coach for Muir, whose season was ended in the opening minutes of round one with a shoulder injury.
Representatives of AFL Riverina's umpires coaching group will internally review issues that were raised by Muir and Leeton-Whitton at the hearing.
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