Pies clear air over umpires: McGuire
April 22nd 2009 05:31
COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire believes the club was able to clear the air with the AFL over its concerns relating to umpires.
McGuire said the Magpies had opened up a 'communication pathway' with the league after Wednesday's special summit at AFL house.
"The AFL had some issues with the Collingwood Football Club and the Collingwood Football Club had some issues with the football operations department of the AFL," McGuire said.
"We spoke about all those different issues and at the end of it I think we cleared a lot of air."
"I know that we're going to work constructively together ... and we've opened up a communication pathway so that thing's don't fester and boil up."
The Pies had been asked for a 'please explain' by the league for comments made about umpire Scott McLaren's contact with midfielder Shane O'Bree and for coach Mick Malthouse's reaction to a 50m penalty during the 17-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba last Friday night.
McGuire said the two parties understand each other better now.
"Things were put on the table, we looked at some video tape, we looked at some statistics, we took on board some of the critiques that the AFL had of our behaviour and the way we go about things and we've agreed we'll all go forward together," he said.
"We want to support the umpires, we've not criticised the umpires at Collingwood, we've been critical sometimes of the interpretations that they are forced to endure."
It remains unclear whether Malthouse or the Magpies have been fined as a result of today's meeting with AFL officials.
McGuire said the Magpies had opened up a 'communication pathway' with the league after Wednesday's special summit at AFL house.
"The AFL had some issues with the Collingwood Football Club and the Collingwood Football Club had some issues with the football operations department of the AFL," McGuire said.
"We spoke about all those different issues and at the end of it I think we cleared a lot of air."
"I know that we're going to work constructively together ... and we've opened up a communication pathway so that thing's don't fester and boil up."
The Pies had been asked for a 'please explain' by the league for comments made about umpire Scott McLaren's contact with midfielder Shane O'Bree and for coach Mick Malthouse's reaction to a 50m penalty during the 17-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba last Friday night.
McGuire said the two parties understand each other better now.
"Things were put on the table, we looked at some video tape, we looked at some statistics, we took on board some of the critiques that the AFL had of our behaviour and the way we go about things and we've agreed we'll all go forward together," he said.
"We want to support the umpires, we've not criticised the umpires at Collingwood, we've been critical sometimes of the interpretations that they are forced to endure."
It remains unclear whether Malthouse or the Magpies have been fined as a result of today's meeting with AFL officials.
| 39 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog






