TonyK
CibbuanoCousins fined
June 2nd 2009 09:43
RICHMOND midfielder Ben Cousins has been fined by his club and the AFL for giving Channel 10's camera the bird prior to Saturday night's clash against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.
Cousins was hit with a $5000 fine from the Tigers, with $2500 being suspended for 12 months and a $5000 sanction from the league, which has been fully suspended for a year.
The former West Coast skipper originally laughed off the gesture in his newspaper column but had a change of heart once viewing the footage.
"I met with the Club this morning and have accepted their fine. I apologised for raising my finger and explained that it was not a gesture I ever thought would go to air," Cousins said.
"I hadn't seen the footage until yesterday (Monday) afternoon and wasn't aware of my facial expression. Once I viewed the footage I realised why the public, the AFL and the
Richmond Football Club were offended by my actions."
Richmond's general manager of football operations Craig Cameron said the incident was not acceptable.
"We have key behaviours and standards that the playing group are supposed to uphold. This was a breach of our standards and that is why it was important that Ben apologised and was also fined," Cameron said.
"As far as we are concerned the issue has been addressed by the club, we have told Ben we were disappointed with his actions and we are all ready to move on from this topic."
Cousins was hit with a $5000 fine from the Tigers, with $2500 being suspended for 12 months and a $5000 sanction from the league, which has been fully suspended for a year.
The former West Coast skipper originally laughed off the gesture in his newspaper column but had a change of heart once viewing the footage.
"I met with the Club this morning and have accepted their fine. I apologised for raising my finger and explained that it was not a gesture I ever thought would go to air," Cousins said.
"I hadn't seen the footage until yesterday (Monday) afternoon and wasn't aware of my facial expression. Once I viewed the footage I realised why the public, the AFL and the
Richmond Football Club were offended by my actions."
Richmond's general manager of football operations Craig Cameron said the incident was not acceptable.
"We have key behaviours and standards that the playing group are supposed to uphold. This was a breach of our standards and that is why it was important that Ben apologised and was also fined," Cameron said.
"As far as we are concerned the issue has been addressed by the club, we have told Ben we were disappointed with his actions and we are all ready to move on from this topic."
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