RULE 19.1.3 of the Laws of Australian Football 2015 – under the ‘reporting players and officials section’ – states: “In addition to an umpire, a controlling body may authorise a person or persons to report any player or official who commits or engages in conduct which may constitute a reportable offence.
“Any person so authorised shall have the same powers and duties as imposed upon an umpire under this law 19”.
On Saturday in the EDFL, a league official – not one of the officiating umpires – reported a player during a game for striking, but from emails and phone calls received since by the Gazette there’s plenty of confusion and misgivings about the situation.
It’s important to note that, given that the rule is part of the Laws of Australian Football, it applies to every league across the country.
For more about Saturday’s report, pick up a copy of this week’s Gazette – out first thing Wednesday morning.
– RUSSELL BENNETT
