Enforcement of abuse law gets an early airing

Teo Pellizzeri

April 9 2008

Shepparton News

Tough rules protecting North Eastern Soccer League referees will be put to the test straight away after a red card was issued at the weekend for inappropriate language directed at a match official.

Cobram's Angus Allemand was issued a straight red card in his side's 11-2 loss to Cobram Victory.

The goalkeeper was sent off with the score at 9-2. The misconduct report submitted to the league will state inappropriate language was directed at the central referee and line assistant.

The straight red means Allemand will definitely miss Cobram's match against Shepparton United at Central Park this weekend before facing a tribunal hearing the week after.

All straight red cards in the North Eastern league will require a tribunal hearing this season.

Facing a statewide shortage of referees, senior figures in soccer called for players to improve their behaviour towards referees in order to encourage more to participate in the sport.

League president Frank Trimboli and Victorian referees development manager Chris Bambridge both demanded an improvement in referee treatment on the season's eve last week.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Eric Bott will assist the league in its tribunal processes this season, his experience with Goulburn Valley Football League seen as vital to creating a more efficient system.

Cobram president Domenic Tedesco said on Monday his club would not make a statement on Allemand's red card until it had gone through any disciplinary processes with the league.