Lifetime AFL games ban for Adelaide Oval invader
The AFL has handed a lifetime ban to a man who ran on to Adelaide Oval and disrupted a Crows game.
The AFL has given a lifetime ban from attending games to a man who ran on to Adelaide Oval during a Crows-Geelong clash in March. Photo: Matt Turner/AAP
The 22-year-old from northern Adelaide invaded during Adelaide’s AFL match against Geelong on March 22.
Appearing to be recording the episode on his mobile phone, he not only entered the arena but ran straight into the action as players scrambled for a contested ball.
After an umpire stopped play, the man was grabbed by Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch before breaking free, only to be collared by the Crows’ Ben Keays before security pounced.
The AFL on Wednesday said the man has been banned for life from attending AFL and AFLW matches at any venue.
“Running onto the ground during a match is not only senseless but it is unsafe and unlawful,” the AFL’s general counsel Stephen Meade said.
“If you choose to do it, then you will not only be given a significant fine but you will have deal with local authorities and ultimately lose the privilege of attending AFL matches.”
The man was arrested on the night and bailed to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on June 19.
He faces a maximum fine of $5000 for breaching South Australia’s Recreation Grounds Regulations.
The AFL said the man, who was not a club or AFL member, could apply to have his ban reviewed after a five-year period.
Coaches of Adelaide and Geelong blasted the “dangerous” pitch invader, with the Cats’ Chris Scott referencing the infamous 1982 incident when Australian Test cricketer Terry Alderman dislocated a shoulder when tackling a pitch invader in Perth.
And his Adelaide counterpart Matthew Nicks spoke of the danger to the two Crows players, Crouch and Keays, who grabbed the invader.
– AAP
