AFL coaches and staff on notice under league crackdown on umpire abuse

An AFL coach who abuses an umpire could be suspended from coaching in the box the next week, as part of a crackdown on umpire abuse by the AFL.

The league announced changes to sanctions on Thursday.

Club staffers can now be suspended, as well as fined.

Under AFL rules, club officials are not allowed to make public comment about an umpire or decision, while they are also stopped from approaching or “intimidating” an umpire at any time in the lead-up, during, or after a match, including the quarter and half-time breaks.

It means the AFL could stop a coaching from coaching on matchday if the league determines a coach, runner, or other staffer has gone too far.