Tara Murray
St Albans and Hillside have been deducted four premiership points and received fines following an investigation into their called off Essendon District Football League division 1 match.
Both clubs received penalties following the match, which was called off by the umpires at three quarter time after spectators and players were involved in a brawl.
The league charged both clubs with breach/es of by law 34 conduct unbecoming arising out of the actions of its players, officials, supporters and persons associated with the club.
Both clubs were found guilty.
St Albans has been fined $25.000, while Hillside has been fined $20,000.
Both clubs have had a deduction of four premiership points for the 2023 season.
All players who participated in the match have a suspended sentence of one match for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Two officials from the St Albans will be dealt by the EDFL board in a separate hearing, while a member of Hillside will also go before the EDFL board in a separate hearing.
St Albans has to advise and implement changes in and around their change rooms to ensure the safe passage of all the players’ officials in and out of the rooms, before, during and after games, in the short-term and for the long term.
Both clubs are required to implement further education and training for all players, supporters and officials about anti-social behaviour and their code of interest.
The EDFL will be allocating $15,000 of the impose sanction to a charity or organisation.
EDFL chairman Bernie Shinners made a statement own behalf of the board and EDFL operations.
“The EDFL is extremely disappointed in the behaviour of both the St Albans Football Club and Hillside Football Club in relation to their players, officials, and supporters and their actions prior to and after the round six match was abandoned,” he said.
“The penalties reflect the seriousness in which the EDFL has treated this matter and will treat similar events if they occur in the future.
“The EDFL will continue to show strong leadership to ensure any anti-social behaviour is stamped out of the game we love and to ensure all feel welcome and safe in participating in and around matches.”
Meanwhile, three men have been issued with fines for behaving in a riotous manner at the match.
Police issued three men with an infringement notice following an alleged brawl.
Police attended the division 1 game between St Albans and Hillside on Gillespie Road at about 4pm after a fight broke out between the teams and spectators.
Police dispersed the crowd and commenced and investigation, engaging with the league and the clubs associated in the incident.
The umpires called off the game at three quarter time.
Three men were interviewed by police on May 31 resulting in them being issued fines, which carry a penalty of $740.
It’s believed one of the men is associated with Hillside and two with St Albans.
The investigation remains ongoing.
