The EDFL wishes to advise the sanctions imposed to the St Albans and Hillside Football Clubs following an investigation into the melee that abandoned the Division One match in Round 6.
The St Albans Football Club and the Hillside Football Club have been charged with breach/es of By Law 34 - conduct unbecoming arising out of the actions of its players, officials, supporters, and persons associated with the Club on Saturday May 20.
Both clubs were found guilty, and the following sanctions were imposed:
St Albans FC
1. $25,000.00 fine
2. Deduction of four premiership points for season 2023
3. All players who participated in the Rd 6 EDFL Division 1 match on May 20 will have a suspended sentence of one match for the remainder of 2023 Season.
Hillside FC
1. $20,000.00 fine
2. Deduction of four premiership points for season 2023
3. All players who participated in the Rd 6 EDFL Division 1 match on May 20 will have a suspended sentence of one match for the remainder of 2023 Season.
Also, it must be noted that:
St Albans FC
1. Two officials from the St Albans FC will be dealt with by the EDFL Board in a separate hearing.
2. Club to advise and implement changes in and around their change rooms (Home and Away) to ensure the safe passage of all players and officials in and out of the rooms before, during, and after games, in the short-term and for the long-term.
3. Club required to implement further education and training for all players, supporters, and officials about anti-social behaviour and their code of conduct.
Hillside FC
1. A member of the Hillside FC will be dealt with by the EDFL Board in a separate hearing.
2. The Club is required to implement further education and training for all players, supporters, and officials about anti-social behaviour and their code of conduct.
Further, the EDFL will be allocating $15,000 of the imposed sanction to a Charity/Educational Organisation that the EDFL will determine.
EDFL Chairman Bernie Shinners has made the following statement on behalf of the EDFL Board and EDFL Operations.
“The EDFL is extremely disappointed in the behaviour of both the St Albans Football Club and Hillside Football Club in relation to their players, officials, and supporters and their actions prior to and after the Round 6 match was abandoned.
"The penalties reflect the seriousness in which the EDFL has treated this matter and will treat similar events if they occur in the future.
"The EDFL will continue to show strong leadership to ensure any anti-social behaviour is stamped out of the game we love and to ensure all feel welcome and safe in participating in and around matches.”
