Cerra backed into an umpire in an incident just before half-time in the Blues’ heavy loss to the Lions last Thursday. It marked the fourth time Cerra had made careless contact with an umpire in the past two years.
Under the AFL’s change, players found to have made contact with umpires three times in a period of two calendar years will now be sent to the tribunal, where they will either receive a far heavier fine, or a suspension for a fourth offence.
Carlton’s Adam Cerra makes contact with the umpire on Thursday night. Credit: Channel Seven
Cerra pleaded guilty to the offence during Tuesday’s tribunal hearing where his lawyers argued his sanction should be no more than $5000.
However, AFL barrister Andrew Woods sought a $6250 penalty, saying a higher fine was needed to deter other players and remind them of their “duty of care to avoid careless conduct towards umpires”.
“The AFL has an obligation to provide a safe working environment for umpires and has to try its best to prevent or minimise incidents of avoidable contact between players and umpires,” Woods said.
Carlton’s lawyer Elizabeth Bateman argued Cerra should not be excessively penalised simply because there have been a number of incidents of players coming into contact with umpires this year. She also noted the midfielder would have challenged his previous umpire offences had he been aware
Read More