LEADERS of two of the region’s predominant sporting leagues have called for sport to be played in the right spirit following a string of violent incidents, which saw one player suspended for 22 weeks.
Following unsociable behaviour in the South Western District Football League and Limestone Coast Football Association (LCFA) this season, players have been warned violence will not be tolerated.
The warning comes following incidents when Australian rules team Dartmoor faced Heywood and Coleraine and a sickening “coward punch” incident at a local soccer game.
LCFA president Eric Nieto said the recent 22 week suspension of a Naracoorte soccer player for a strike to the head should send a “clear” message to the players, supporters and staff.
“There is no place for it in sport and we are taking a stand against it,” Mr Nieto said.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach and any violent behaviour will be dealt with by issuing the highest penalties, which in this case could have been a life ban.”
Four and a half weeks ago a reserves “cup” fixture between Naracoorte and International was littered with “ugly scenes”, which began when another Naracoorte player made a racist comment to an International player.
International player Nathan Koopman heard the “slur” and retaliated in defence of his teammate, which resulted in a minor scuffle.
“It was a pretty severe racial comment, which I heard and I just was not going to stand for that,” Koopman said.
“I started a bit of a push and shove with the player and we wrestled to the ground until we eventually broke apart.”
What happened next shocked onlookers.
As Koopman rose to his feet, another Naracoorte player struck him from behind with a punch to the head, which left him laying motionless for several seconds.
“I do not remember the punch, I just remember waking up face down in the grass,” Koopman said.
“From what I have been told by many witnesses, it was a coward punch from behind and he ran from the scene pretty quickly afterwards.”
Witnesses told The Border Watch the player, who delivered the vicious blow, ran straight towards the Naracoorte bench and was chased by International players.
Eventually the situation was defused and the game continued without incident, following a red card to two Naracoorte players and a yellow card to Koopman.
Under the Football Federation South Australia grievance and guidance laws, the offending player who punched Koopman was given a 22-week suspension, while the player who made a racial slur was handed a 12 match ban.
The Naracoorte United Soccer Club indicated it would appeal the 22 week suspension, however it was withdrawn on advice their player could face a life ban from soccer.
“The player involved got caught up in the moment and it is a shame because he had only just migrated to Australia a few months before and sport is such a good way to meet people,” Naracoorte president Jon Thurlow said.
“He was really upset about his actions for the next few days and apologised to the entire team at the Tuesday training – he understands it was not the right thing to do.”
While Koopman was not willing to comment on the penalties, he said the incident rocked him for several days.
“I guess on the day I had a bit of adrenaline and was not too worried about it, but in the aftermath I was really sore,” Koopman said.
“That was probably when I realised this is a serious thing – I have a partner who has just had my young child, so it was obviously quite scary for her.”
Mr Nieto said the incident was dealt with accordingly by issuing a strong penalty to the Naracoorte players and he praised both clubs for how they handled the situation in the immediate aftermath.
“Naracoorte and International got together after the game and held a meeting with all players who were scheduled to play in the following seniors match,” Mr Nieto said.
“They were proactive in expressing there was no need for it in sport and that it would not be tolerated.
“As a result, the game was played in great spirit.”
Changing codes and heading across the border – Dartmoor Football Club had also been the centre of a league investigation surrounding an all-in brawl involving both supporters and players last month.
The fight broke out after a player allegedly headbutted a runner on the field of play, which led to police being called to the ground.
AFL Western District region general manager Kate Williamson said they were aware of an incident that occurred during the match between Dartmoor and Heywood at Dartmoor Recreation Reserve.
“AFL Western District is currently investigating the matter and will not be making any further comment until the investigation has been completed,” she said.
Just a few weeks later, Dartmoor was at the centre of another incident which led to umpires suspending a match against Coleraine following more unsociable on-field behaviour.
“Following the quarter time siren, the umpires felt that players were participating in unsportsmanlike behaviour and made the decision to not continue under those circumstances,” Ms Williamson said.
After the break, the presidents of each club approached the umpires to discuss the situation.
“The umpires were assured by the presidents that each had met with their senior team and strongly reprimanded their players’ behaviour,” Ms Williamson said.
“The remainder of the game was played in the spirit of the game and without incident.”
Ms Williamson expected matches to be played in the right spirit, but said officials were armed with the appropriate “tools” to handle unsociable incidents.
“If players step outside the rules, umpires have a number of tools at their disposal to restore order, namely free kicks, yellow and red cards and reports,” she said.
“If a clubs think something has happened outside the rules the umpires have missed, the club can call for an investigation.”
