The AFL umpires at the centre of the Lachie Schultz concussion drama are considering legal action after they say public commentary cast aspersions on their integrity and competence.
The AFL Umpires Association confirmed the umpires โ Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer, Justin Power and Martin Rodger โ were given legal advice after Collingwood forward Schultzโs May 8 concussion, Nineโs Tom Morris reported on Tuesday.
Magpies star Lachie Schultz collapses in the hands of medical staff.Credit: Getty Images
โThe umpires involved in the Fremantle vs Collingwood game have been advised as to their legal rights in relation to some of the commentary that followed the Lachlan Schultz concussion issue,โ AFL Umpires Association chief executive boss Rob Kerr said in a statement provided to Morris and seen by this masthead. The statement did not say who the umpires were considering legal action against.
โBeing falsely accused of lying and misleading the AFL goes beyond simply questioning the management of the actual incident.
โPublic commentary that casts aspersions on an individualโs integrity and professional competence, particularly when that is core to the role they perform, harms their personal and professional standing and it is reasonable to consider how that can be rectified.โ
The AFLโs football operations boss Laura Kane originally pointed the finger at the umpires over the concussion drama, wrongly claiming the umpires misled the league about whether they saw the injured player.
It later emerged the umpires were aware Schultz was lying injured on the Optus Stadium surface during the match on May 8. The umpires didnโt see his incident with Fremantle opponent Jordan Clark, but realised he had been concussed.
Schultz talking to teammates after over the win over Fremantle in which he copped a heavy knock.Credit: Getty Images
Play continued for a short time, away from Schultzโs vicinity, after he was injured.
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