Code under scrutiny

April 29 2008

Shepparton News

Lengthy player suspensions for referee abuse have prompted North Eastern Soccer League to consider a revised code of conduct in order to improve treatment of match officials.

League consultant Eric Bott wants clubs to consider a code of conduct similar to the one followed by rugby league.

The proposal of a code of conduct was tabled at a league delegates' meeting last night.

A nine-match suspension to Cobram Victory reserve player Peter Demaio handed out at a tribunal last Thursday has alerted the league that its demands for better referee treatment is not getting through.

Demaio, not present at the tribunal, pleaded no contest to a level four misconduct offence after being sent off for inappropriate behaviour directed at match officials in round two.

Victory won the match 3-0 against Numurkah, but Demaio was red-carded in the first half.

Cobram goalkeeper Angus Allemand has also run foul of the tribunal this season after pleading guilty to directing foul and abusive language at a match official.

Allemand has served his three-match ban and will be eligible for Cobram's next match against Shepparton in two weeks.

Bott convenes the league tribunal and said the time had come for more set measures to be in place for clubs.

``The tribunal process is clear cut because the league falls under the Football Federation Victoria guidelines for discipline offences,'' Bott said.

``The state federation has adopted a tough stance on treatment of referees and the tribunal reflects that.''

Bott said it was time for clubs to make a decision on a code of conduct for the league.

``If you look at sports like rugby league, yachting or baseball there are clear codes of conduct for clubs, players and officials to abide by,'' Bott said.

``I would like to draft a code of conduct for soccer.''