Life ban for local footballer for allegedly striking an umpire

A 19-year-old suburban footballer has been handed a life ban after allegedly striking an umpire at the weekend.

It’s alleged the teenager from Parkmore Springvale Districts punched the umpire, also a 19-year-old, during the second quarter of the Southern Football League Under 19s clash with East Brighton on Saturday.

The Rumour File was told the life ban was handed down after the footballer faced the tribunal last night.

The umpire suffered a cut lip and the match was abandoned.

The player pleaded guilty to intentionally striking an umpire and accepted a life ban.

Head of umpiring at the SFNL Peter Marshall, told 3AW News while it’s sad to see a young player lost to the game, this sort of behaviour will not be accepted.

“There’s got to be a strong message go out that this sort of action can’t be tolerated, and in this case he’s paid the supreme price in not being able to participate in Aussie rules footy,” he said.