AFL to Appeal Bachar Houli Tribunal Decision /Simon Lethlean Media Statement

The AFL wishes to advise that General Manager Football Operations Simon Lethlean today notified the AFL Appeal Board and the Richmond Football Club that the AFL would appeal the two-game suspension imposed on Richmond’s Bachar Houli for striking Carlton’s Jed Lamb during the first quarter of Sunday’s Round 14 match at the MCG.

The hearing in front of the Appeals Board will be at 5.30pm tomorrow, Thursday June 29.

Mr Lethlean said the AFL had appealed the two-game suspension on the grounds:
the sanction imposed was manifestly inadequate.

Mr Lethlean issued the following statement on the AFL’s decision to Appeal this afternoon, as follows:

Simon Lethlean Statement
As AFL General Manager of Football Operations, I have today notified the AFL Appeals Board Tribunal and the Richmond Football Club that the AFL has lodged an appeal against the decision of the Tribunal last night in the case in which Bachar Houli was given a two-match suspension for striking Carlton’s Jed Lamb.

The Tribunal panel adjudged the player to be guilty of an intentional strike, which made high contact and caused high impact.
The AFL is appealing this decision under Regulation 19.2, on the grounds that, amongst other things, the sanction imposed by the Tribunal last night was manifestly inadequate.
In conclusion, I want to stress that the AFL takes impact to the head extremely seriously, and this appeal is based on the AFL’s view in relation to the sanction imposed and not a judgement on the character evidence or the character of Bachar Houli in general.

I will not be able to take questions as the AFL will argue its position to the Appeals Board tomorrow night.
Thank You.