Umpire leaked audio crisis explodes as AFL promises review of communication breakdown
The AFL is in crisis mode over the miscommunication between the umpires and headquarters following the Lachie Schultz concussion incident last Thursday.
The league says they will comprehensively review the situation but they have been in a war of words with the umpires following a series of confusing statements.
7NEWS sports presenter Theo Doropoulos has said it's the 'self-inflicted blow that's left the league's footy boss red faced'.
Channel 7's The Agenda Setters broke the bombshell news on Tuesday that the umpires were aware that Schultz was in trouble in the middle of the ground during Collingwood's clash with Fremantle last Thursday.
The Agenda Setters had the fresh umpire audio confirming that scenario, but on Friday last week the league claimed, via a statement, that the umpires at the centre of the concussion controversy didn't see the motionless Schultz.
As it turns out, that statement was wrong and on Wednesday AFL football boss Laura Kane issued another statement, the AFL's third on the matter.
'Our process in determining what happened Thursday night failed and for that we take full responsibility,' Kane said.
'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.
'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.'
Collingwood executive general manager of football Charlie Gardiner said the situation was bewildering.
'I have been a little bit surprised with some of the internal communications but from our perspective it doesn't change our position on the night that play should've been stopped,' he said.
The whole ordeal has left a bitter taste in the mouths of umpires.
But all four umpires at the centre of the drama are listed to officiate in matches in Round 10.
Simon Meredith (Collingwood v Adelaide), Craig Fleer (Port Adelaide v Geelong), Martin Rodger (Essendon v Western Bulldogs), and Justin Power (Sydney v Carlton) will all be in action this weekend.
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