AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) wishes to advise the Tribunal sat on Wednesday 10 January to hear a charge from Round 12 of the TIO NTFL Men’s Premier League.
Desmond Ugle of Palmerston Football Club appeared before the Tribunal to answer four charges from or related to the TIO NTFL Men’s Premier League game between Palmerston and Nightcliff at TIO Stadium on Sunday 7 January 2018.
Ugle pleaded guilty to all four charges, did not dispute the available reports or evidence and was issued with a 15-match suspension.
Palmerston Football Club President John Marshall said Ugle was deeply apologetic for his behaviour.
“The club considers we got a fair hearing, all the people who spoke, spoke honestly and were forthcoming.
Des was certainly forthcoming with his evidence and his version of events. He is very remorseful and ashamed of what he did and it’s out of his character to behave in this way,” Marshall said.
Independent Tribunal chairman Marty Aust said;
“This is as serious as it gets. Your conduct was reprehensible. It is the antithesis of what the game of AFL is all about.
“Your behaviour was abusive, obscene and at time racially charged. It involved threatening, physical conduct. It was directed at match officials, umpires, members of the general public and in full view of supporters including families and children.
“The AFLNT is a competition that relies upon volunteers and support staff to make the game thrive.
“Your behaviour was unacceptable on all levels including to the community, to the sport, to your club and as you have acknowledged, to yourself.
“Because you have never been suspended and accept responsibility and have pleaded guilty we have reduced the penalty from 20 matches to a single penalty across all four charges to a suspension of 15 matches.”
A full breakdown of the charges is as follows;
Charge 1
Using abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language towards or in relation to an umpire in the fourth quarter.
Charge 2
Behaving in an abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene manner towards or in relation to an umpire in the fourth quarter.
Charge 3
Showing serious misconduct after the game.
Charge 4
Behaving in an abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene manner towards or in relation to an umpire after the game.
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Earlier today AFLNT advised the scheduled hearing for Mitchell Taylor of Wanderers Football Cub, to face the charge of forceful front on contact, had been deferred until next week.
The Wanderers Football Club asked for a deferral based on the unavailability of their club advocate, and with the support of the Darwin Buffaloes, the Tribunal chairman has granted their application.
Further, the scheduled hearing for Pierce Liddle of Southern Districts Football Club, in the matter of rough conduct, has been deferred until a later date.
The Southern Districts Football Club asked for a deferral based on the player’s unavailability, and with the acceptance of the Waratah Football Club, the Tribunal chairman has granted their application.
