Umpires abused during appreciation round at the Mullewa game risks boycott from association

The GNFL is cracking down on spectator altercations after the umpires were threatened and abused at Mullewa at the weekend. During umpire appreciation round, the league game between Mullewa and Northampton became heated with umpires being abused by spectators. One spectator said the language and threats were extremely disappointing to see. “It makes you not want to go to the footy, the behaviour shown by those in the crowd was disgusting,” they said. There were concerns that umpires would be boycotting Mullewa home games after the incident, but GNFL president Carissa Bellottie said the league was working closely with the umpires’ association. “At this stage they will still be going to Mullewa games,” she said. “We are still working with them to be sure that they are treated with respect and any abuse that comes to them from the crowd or on social media is taken to the tribunal.” It is not the first time umpires have threatened to pull out of league games involving Mullewa following the mass brawl between Mullewa and Brigades colts sides last year. The brawl involved not only players but supporters and spectators who ran on to the field and became involved. As a result of the brawl, the umpires boycotted a number of Mullewa colts and league games, as well as Brigades colts games. With the shortage of umpires with full training, many games resort to using club-supplied umpires, which is where frustrations can come from. “We are still using club umpires, and they don’t have the full training so it becomes hard because they just aren’t up to standard” Ms Bellottie said. With abuse at the umpires becoming out of hand, especially on social media, the league is starting initiatives to snuff out the behaviour from spectators and players. “We will be putting up posters around grounds to make sure the message is sent that umpires need to be treated properly” Ms Bellottie said.