Sebastopol Vikings coach Corey Smith has called on Football Federation Victoria to remove Newmarket Phoenix from the men’s state league four competition.
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Smith’s comments come after Saturday’s senior fixture between the Vikings and the Phoenix was abandoned when the visitors failed to return to the pitch for the second half at St Georges Reserve.
Following the “bizarre” incident, Smith labelled it “the most disgusting, unprofessional, unethical and disrespectful” thing he has witnessed during his time in the game.
Smith told The Courier on Monday that he is willing to forfeit any points claimed from Saturday’s match – the Vikings led 5-0 at the break – to see the Phoenix removed from the competition.
“Although I believe that Newmarket could potentially take points off some of our rivals, I wouldn’t wish for any team to be put in that environment,” Smith, who said there were other unsavoury incidents throughout the day, said.
“I’d prefer to see them not in the league, even if it meant nobody got points for the games they’d already played against them.”
Smith said he held concerns about a return fixture at Newmarket’s home pitch later in the season.
I’d prefer to see them not in the league...
- Sebastopol Vikings coach Corey Smith
“We don’t want to put our players in a dangerous situation, but of course we want to get the points and be a competitive side in the league,” he said.
FFV didn’t wish to comment on the matter, but it is understood the governing body is investigating what took place on Saturday and will decide whether or not a tribunal hearing is necessary.
According to its website, the Newmarket Phoenix was established in 2014 to represent members of the Flemington, North Melbourne, Ascot Vale, Kensington and Carlton communities.
Sebastopol played Newmarket twice last season, winning one game and drawing the other.