The Club has also been given a formal warning regarding comments made by coach Brett Ratten at his post-match media conference after the game, regarding umpiring decisions.
Mr Anderson said the AFL had written to Carlton late last week, under AFL Regulation 16.1, after Murphy and Laidler posted comments on their twitter pages while Waite re-tweeted a comment relating to the performance of an umpire in the match.
The club responded yesterday, Monday June 18, and Mr Anderson said the AFL had taken into account the Club’s co-operation in the matter, the admission of wrongdoing by the players and apologies from those involved. Mr Anderson said the AFL had also taken into account the club’s general support for umpiring in arriving at $7500 ($2500 for each of the three players and a warning Ratten’s comments).
“The AFL will not tolerate public denigration of humiliation of umpires as we continue to face very real problems with the retention of umpires throughout Australia,” Mr Anderson said.
“The Sanders Report into Umpiring highlighted the need for the AFL to have a zero-tolerance approach to criticism of umpires.
“A player’s use of social media to make comments around umpiring will be subject to the AFL’s rules in exactly the same way as comments made in a formal interview or any other media environment, as the AFL competition must continue to set a positive example on conduct towards umpires," he said.
Carlton General Manager Football Operations Andrew McKay said the Club had discussed this matter with the AFL and understands the zero-tolerance approach to the criticism of umpires.
“The Carlton Football Club has an enormous amount of respect for umpires and the important role they play in our great game. We understand our role in helping with the retention of umpires at all levels.”
