Darley coach Heath Scotland has been handed a three-week ban for abusive language towards an umpire following an incident during the fiery Ballarat Football League encounter with North Ballarat City on the weekend.
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Darley premiership player and former Carlton star pleaded guilty on Tuesday night and will now have a stint on the sidelines.
The AFL Goldfields tribunal handed down the ban under the ruling of “using abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language towards or in relation to an umpire”.
Such incidents do warrant a set two-week penalty, but in this case the umpire sent it straight to the tribunal given its seriousness.
Scotland did not wish to say much as he left Saxon House, but told the media he received a “fair hearing”.
Scotland had his number taken and was yellow carded on Saturday.
Scotland was sent from the field 17 minutes into the third quarter.
He engaged with a field umpire after what initially appeared to be a Darley goal was called a behind after a discussion between a field and goal umpire determined the football had come off a Devils player’s leg above the knee.
The incident occurred in the same game which saw a brawl breakout after the final siren involving players and Darley spectators, which resulted in Darley suspending its president Ray Newton for his involvement and three supporters banned in the wake of the on-field fraca.
An investigation into the weekend’s ugly events is ongoing, with an outcome expected soon.
Scotland will miss important matches against East Point, Bacchus Marsh and Lake Wendouree.