AFL umpires could take legal action against Channel Seven stars over one of the most controversial incidents of the season
The AFL is facing fresh turmoil with the umpires at the centre of the Lachie Schultz concussion incident considering legal action against footy greats turned Channel Seven stars Kane Cornes, Dale Thomas and Luke Hodge over their comments on the scandal.
Collingwood's Schultz was left dazed after a brutal head clash with Fremantle's Jordan Clark on May 8, triggering immediate concern from players and medics.
Despite Schultz throwing up his arms in a classic 'fencing' concussion response and struggling to get to his feet, the game continued for almost 20 seconds.
Multiple medical staff attended to Schultz as he staggered to the bench, but umpires failed to stop the game.
The AFL initially claimed the umpires did not see the injured player and allowed play to go on.
Laura Kane, the AFL's football operations boss at the time, then came forward to say information that the umpires had given was 'inconsistent' with audio uncovered by Seven's Agenda Setters show.
The audio appeared to reveal that the umpires were aware that Schultz was hurt, but chose not to intervene.
This led to Seven stars Kane Cornes, Dale Thomas and Luke Hodge criticising the umpires.
The league finally cleared the umpires, revealing a miscommunication between AFL House and the umpires.
On Tuesday, Nine's Tom Morris reported that the AFL Umpires Association has confirmed that the four officials in control of the match - Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer, Justin Power and Martin Rodger - have been given legal advice.
'The 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,' AFL Umpires Association chief executive boss Rob Kerr said in a statement provided to Morris.
'Being falsely accused of lying and misleading the AFL goes beyond simply questioning the management of the actual incident.
'Public commentary that casts aspersions on an individual's 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.'
Morris told 9News Melbourne that the umpires are 'filthy' with Seven's footy experts.
'I can tell you that umpires Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer, Justin Power and Martin Rodger are considering taking legal action against Luke Hodge, Dale Thomas and Kane Cornes,' he said.
'The umpires remain furious that Hodge, Thomas and Cornes made comments heavily criticising them on Channel 7 on May 13.'
Kane has not apologised to the umpires in question, but has admitted that the processes failed.
'Today we have determined there was a miscommunication from members of the umpiring department, not the field umpires, which formed the basis of our initial public statement on Friday,' Kane said.
'Those team members have been counselled and reminded of the importance of ensuring our process is fully followed regarding these types of incidents and in this instance it was not.
'I have asked GM Football Performance Josh Mahoney to review these processes to ensure the right information is communicated and to ensure this does not happen again.
'Everyone, including our umpires are aligned in ensuring the health and safety of players continues to be the utmost priority and the AFL has been in regular contact with the AFLUA today.'
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