Penalty of six for final kick - November 30 2007
Penalty of six for final kick
November 30 2007
Shepparton News
Adrian Ingham received a six-match suspension from the North Eastern Soccer League tribunal last night after pleading guilty to a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.
The verdict brings to a close two months of post-grand final protests, appeals and tribunals to finally end the league's season.
After being substituted from the field in the grand final Ingham took a penalty in the shoot-out won 7-6 by Shepparton against Yoogali.
Ingham said there was no doubt he had broken the rules of the game and subsequently pleaded guilty.
Ingham's intent on the other hand was a matter for debate, the player pleading his case to the three-man tribunal of Bruce Little, John Lycett and chairman Bob Schirmer.
Ingham said in his 23-year career in England and Australia he had never once been yellow or red carded.
"I've never gone out of my way to trick someone for the benefit of my team," Ingham said.
"The club (Shepparton) hasn't influenced my actions in any way at all."
Ingham was distraught that the example he had set to the players he coached had been contradicted by the lengthy postseason saga.
"I coach under-13s and primary school children," he said.
"I teach them not to back chat referees and to play by the rules.
"On a personal level I'm very disappointed."
In giving his ruling Schirmer made it clear that Ingham's case was an entirely separate matter from the already settled dispute over the result of the grand final.
The tribunal was satisfied that Ingham taking the penalty was not a malicious act.
"Your substitution from the field of play was recorded correctly by the referee," Schirmer said.
"As a result of that we are going to suspend you for six games."
After the hearing league president Frank Trimboli took the opportunity to plead to clubs that they take more responsibility next season.
"Clubs are vague with the rules," Trimboli said.
"The clubs in this league need a better understanding of the rules and how they are interpreted before next season."
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