What next? .....
Umpires to crack down on hand gestures
The Herald Sun
Mark Stevens | April 09, 2009
POINT to your eyes at your peril. That is the message from the AFL umpiring department after Sunday's 50m penalty against Western Bulldog Brad Johnson for dissent.
Johnson pointed at both eyes after Stefan Grun declined to pay a mark in the Dogs match against North Melbourne and copped a heavy penalty.
Although the AFL has accepted Johnson's story that he was suggesting his opponent had taken his eyes off the ball, umpires' boss Jeff Gieschen said it was dangerous to be so demonstrative.
"The umpire who was 10 or 15m away could not hear what Brad was saying, but saw his demonstrative hands and fingers towards the eye," Gieschen said.
"Normally that constitutes 'open your eyes' to the ump. I'm not saying Brad was indicating that, but Stefan Grun said he interpreted it that way."
Another Bulldog Will Minson was penalised for the same hand signal last year.
"People will say its sensitive and an over-reaction, but we are really committed to maintaining a good environment," Gieschen said.
He said the AFL had to set the standard, given problems with recruitment and retention of umpires at lower levels.