THE Cohuna Kangas have been fined $250 and a spectator suspended from attending matches following an incident at the Central Murray Football Netball League round five match at the Cohuna Recreation Reserve.
The CMFNL board found the Kangas and the spectator in question had breached the competition’s code of conduct – specifically clauses relating to spectators acting aggressively to other spectators, coaches, players, or officials – during the quarter-time incident.
The spectator involved in the incident pushed a Lake Boga player as the footballer walked past the area the Kangas would be huddled during the first break of the match, with the player retaliating.
“Although the club investigated the matter and suspended the spectator from attending matches, the league has a zero tolerance approach to these matters,” league chairman, John Brookshaw said.
“All clubs need to put the responsibility on spectators that clubs will be fined if they do not act responsibly.”
The league board also banned the spectator from attending the round 16 game between the two sides at the Lake Boga Recreation Reserve.
To ensure future incidents do not occur during breaks at the venue, the league board has recommended the club move the two interchange benches further apart, which would encourage a greater distance between competing teams during quarter time and three-quarter time.
“Some leagues are going down the path of not allowing any spectators on the oval at quarter time and three-quarter time. This is something we do not want to do, as we are a league that is all about sharing and caring about the experience for the spectator,” Brookshaw said.
“We do not want to make a knee-jerk reaction to a situation that has occurred once in the last three to four years.”
The Cohuna Kangas declined to comment in the penalty.
