TonyK
CibbuanoViolent fans will be banned: Demetriou
April 6th 2009 07:11
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says the league will ban supporters who engage in violence against rival fans from attending future matches.
Demetriou's comments come after the father of Melboourne midfielder Nathan Jones was bashed as he was leaving the MCG following the Demons' loss to Collingwood on Saturday.
Brad Jones suffered a broken nose and cracked ribs in the incident as well as bruising and swelling to his face but is now out of hospital and recovering at home.
The three men - aged 19, 21 and 24 - have all been charged over the attack.
Demetriou said the league will not tolerate violent behaviour.
"There is absolutely no place for that sort of activity in our game and we will work with our clubs and our supporters and our venues to make sure that anyone who thinks they can engage in that sort of activity that we will find them, identify them and they will not be allowed to attend our games," he said.
Demetriou also said the incident shouldn't deter families from attending the football.
"This was an isolated incident and when we do have incident like this they seem incredibly outrageous because they are isolated and not the norm," he said.
Nathan Jones also spoke publicly for the first time on Monday since the incident occurred, saying the attack on his father was unbelievable.
“I never expected my old man to go to the footy and something like this to ever happen," Jones said.
“It's pretty unfortunate, it should never happen at any sport, let alone AFL.”
Jones also said his father was doing well and that the incident wouldn't stop his family from attending AFL matches in the future.
“He is his same old self, he just looks a bit beaten up,” he said.
Demetriou's comments come after the father of Melboourne midfielder Nathan Jones was bashed as he was leaving the MCG following the Demons' loss to Collingwood on Saturday.
Brad Jones suffered a broken nose and cracked ribs in the incident as well as bruising and swelling to his face but is now out of hospital and recovering at home.
The three men - aged 19, 21 and 24 - have all been charged over the attack.
Demetriou said the league will not tolerate violent behaviour.
"There is absolutely no place for that sort of activity in our game and we will work with our clubs and our supporters and our venues to make sure that anyone who thinks they can engage in that sort of activity that we will find them, identify them and they will not be allowed to attend our games," he said.
Demetriou also said the incident shouldn't deter families from attending the football.
"This was an isolated incident and when we do have incident like this they seem incredibly outrageous because they are isolated and not the norm," he said.
Nathan Jones also spoke publicly for the first time on Monday since the incident occurred, saying the attack on his father was unbelievable.
“I never expected my old man to go to the footy and something like this to ever happen," Jones said.
“It's pretty unfortunate, it should never happen at any sport, let alone AFL.”
Jones also said his father was doing well and that the incident wouldn't stop his family from attending AFL matches in the future.
“He is his same old self, he just looks a bit beaten up,” he said.
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Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
Collingwood supporters have been bashing people for years and nothing gets done. Bash a person related to a player and it's a big deal.
What a bunch of toss.