The AFL's first-ever Tribunal appeal, which was against Bachar Houli's two-week suspension, has been successful with a four-week sanction given to the Richmond defender.
Carlton forward Jed Lamb was left unconscious when he was backhanded last Sunday at the MCG. Because of the severity of Lamb's concussion, he has been ruled out of the clash against the Crows at the MCG on Saturday. Houli accepted the decision when the verdict was handed down by the Tribunal. AFL general manager of football operations Simon Lethlean stated after the appeal hearing that he was pleased with the result of the increased sanction, especially because of the AFL's crack-down on head injuries. "The Appeals Board has tonight reinforced the AFL's position on the importance of protecting the head, and the health and safety of our players. "I'm satisfied with that result," Lethlean said. The AFL boss stated that despite the appeal of the Tribunal's decision, it has nothing to do with Houli's character, nor will it impact his leadership in the AFL community. "He is a leader in our game, and a person of great integrity. "His remorse for his actions was clear after the completion of the match. Our actions in appealing the tribunal decision were about protecting players from injury to the head and this is very important to us. "I want to reassure Bachar that he will continue to be held in the highest standard and regard in our game and in our community." Houli will miss the next four weeks against Port Adelaide, St Kilda, the Brisbane Lions and the Giants.
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Melbourne v Sydney Swans
Western Bulldogs v West Coast Eagles
Carlton v Adelaide Crows
Gold Coast Suns v North Melbourne
Port Adelaide v Richmond
GWS Giants v Geelong Cats
Essendon v Brisbane Lions
Fremantle v St Kilda
Hawthorn v Collingwood
The AFL is appealing Richmond defender Bachar Houli's two-match suspension for striking Carlton forward Jed Lamb, after deeming the charge as "manifestly inadequate".
On Tuesday night, the AFL Tribunal found Houli guilty of striking Lamb in a back-handed hit while trying to fend the forward off. Lamb was knocked out after being struck and was unable to take further part of the game last Sunday. The AFL released a statement shortly after the Wednesday afternoon deadline that it had lodged an appeal to increase Houli's two-match suspension. "The AFL wishes to advise that general manager football operations Simon Lethlean today notified the AFL Appeal Board and the Richmond Football Club that the AFL would appeal the two-game suspension imposed on Richmond's Bachar Houli for striking Carlton's Jed Lamb during the first quarter of Sunday's round 14 match at the MCG." The appeal will take place on Thursday night at 5:30pm and will be heard by three members of the Appeals Board which consists of chairman Peter O'Callaghan, deputy chairman Brian Collis QC, Brian Bourke, Michael Green, Stephen Jurica and John Schultz. Houli had submitted a character reference from Gold Logie-winner Waleed Aly and a statement from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to help his case. The MRP took the reference into consideration despite directly referring the case to the Tribunal after assessing the incident as high impact and high contact. Sam Tovey, who represented Houli, asked for the 29-year old to receive only a two-match suspension because of the defender's clean record both on and off the football field. AFL legal counsel Andrew Woods believed that Houli should have received a four-match suspension due to the extent of Lamb's concussion. It is believed that the ongoing incident could spark backlash against Houli, who is an advocate for promoting football in the Muslim community. West Coast Eagles defender Will Schofield will play against the Bulldogs this weekend after successfully appealing a one-match suspension for striking Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver.
The appeal occurred at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night where Schofield challenged his suspension. The incident occurred during half time at Domain Stadium when Schofield clipped Oliver's chin with his elbow. Oliver fell to the ground and Schofield was reported for the offence. The Match Review Panel assessed the incident as "intentional conduct with low impact to the head" when they took Melbourne's medical report into consideration. The Demons midfielder required no medical attention for his jaw, which worked in Schofield's favour when appealing the sanction. Schofield described the contact as "very slight" and stated that he was surprised that Oliver had fallen to the ground when he was clipped. The defender stated he was relieved that he had the suspension overturned, but that he was surprised that it had gone as far as the Tribunal. "Yeah (I'm) relieved, certainly, I didn't know how that one was going to go, but obviously I'm really happy and satisfied with the decision," Schofield said after the hearing. "I was charged with low (impact) but it was deemed negligible. "I was a little surprise (it needed to go as far as the Tribunal) but like I said I'm really happy with the result. "All I want to do is play (this) week, and I've given myself the opportunity to, I just need to get picked by Simmo now." The original one-match suspension caused uproar from Eagles fans who argued that Schofield had not hit Oliver hard enough to receive such a harsh sanction. Many were also shocked about the suspension because Richmond defender Bachar Houli only received a two-match suspension for striking Carlton forward Jed Lamb, who was knocked out as a result of the hit. The Match Review Panel has assessed every match of round 14 and laid the following charges.
Sydney Swans midfielder Luke Parker has been charged with striking Essendon defender Mark Baguley. The incident occurred during the first quarter of the clash between the Swans and Essendon at the SCG, last Friday. The incident was assessed as "careless conduct with low impact to the body". The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction, but because Parker does not have an applicable record that impacts the penalty, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea. Sydney Swans defender Dane Rampe has been charged with a first offence of wrestling against Essendon forward Joe Daniher. The incident occurred during the second quarter of the game stated above. A first offence for wrestling is $1500, but an early plea will allow Rampe to accept a $1000 sanction. Essendon forward Joe Daniher has been charged with a first offence of wrestling against Swans defender Dane Rampe. The incident occurred during the second quarter of the game stated above. A first offence for wrestling is $1500, but an early plea will allow Daniher to accept a $1000 sanction. Brisbane Lions midfielder Nick Robertson has been charged with striking GWS Giants defender Nathan Wilson. The incident occurred during the first quarter of the clash between the Lions and the Giants at the Gabba, last Saturday. The incident was assessed as "intentional conduct with low impact to the body". The incident was classified as a $1500, but because Robertson does not have an applicable record that impacts the penalty, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea. Western Bulldogs defender Easton Wood has been charged with striking North Melbourne forward Taylor Garner. The incident occurred during the first quarter of the clash between the Bulldogs and the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium, last Saturday. The incident was assessed as "intentional conduct with low impact to the body". The incident was classified as a $2500 sanction, because it is Wood's second striking offence. An early plea can allow Wood to accept a $1500 sanction. North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington has been charged with striking Bulldogs forward Toby McLean. The incident occurred during the fourth quarter of the game stated above. The incident was assessed as "intentional conduct with low impact to the head/neck/throat area". The incident was classified as a two-match suspension, but because Cunnington does not have an applicable record that impacts the penalty, he can accept a one-match suspension. West Coast Eagles defender Will Schofield has been charged with striking Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver. The incident occurred during the second quarter of the clash between the Eagles and Demons at Domain Stadium, last Saturday. The incident was assessed as "intentional conduct with low impact to the head". The incident was classified as a two-match suspension, but because Schofield does not have an applicable record that impacts the penalty, he can accept a one-match suspension with an early plea. Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne has been charged with striking Geelong defender Zach Tuohy. The incident occurred during the second quarter of the clash between the Cats and the Dockers at Simonds Stadium, last Sunday. The incident was assessed as "intentional conduct with low impact to the body". The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction, but because Ballantyne does not have an applicable record that impacts the penalty, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea. Fremantle forward Michael Walters has been charged with kneeing Geelong midfielder Patrick Dangerfield. The incident occurred during the fourth quarter of the game stated above. The incident was assessed as "intentional conduct with low impact to the body". The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction, but because Walters does not have an applicable record that impacts the penalty, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea. Richmond defender Bachar Houli has been charged with striking Carlton forward Jed Lamb. The incident occurred during the first quarter of the clash between the Tigers and the Blues at the MCG, last Sunday. The incident was assessed as "intentional conduct with high impact to the head". The incident has been referred directly to the Tribunal to make a decision. An early plea is unavailable for Houli, but he does not have an applicable record that can impact the penalty. |
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