AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has today informed all Club CEOs that additional implications for repeat Careless Contact with Umpire offenders will apply from Round 17 onwards. 

When an offending player is sanctioned for a fourth or subsequent offence for Careless Contact with an Umpire from across the last two AFL years, the MRO or the EGM Football Performance will now likely directly refer the player to the Tribunal.

The AFL may then seek from the Tribunal an alternative sanction for the offence, which may include an increased fine and/or where applicable, a suspension at the Tribunal’s absolute discretion.

In addition, where an offending player is sanctioned for a second or subsequent offence for Careless Contact with an Umpire from across the last two seasons, the AFL will impose a fine of $5,000 to the player’s Club, exempt from the Soft Cap. 

The change has been implemented to combat the increased number of contact to umpires incidents which has been dramatically on the rise over the last two AFL years.

In 2023, across home and away season and finals there was a total of 20 charges for Careless Contact with an Umpire, in 2024 there were 56 charges and so far this season there have already been 63 charges.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the increase in implications was necessary due to the increase in charges across the last two seasons. 

“We are seeing far too many instances of avoidable umpire contact, and since writing to clubs on this issue in February and again in April we have not seen a change in behaviour, and in fact seen an increase in umpire contact,” said Mr Dillon. 

“We have an obligation to provide the best working environment for everyone, including the umpires, and there have been too many instances of avoidable umpire contact.”