Tuesday, 19 October 2021
Football SA – Modbury Jets Racial Vilification Investigation
Football South Australia does not tolerate racism in any form or discrimination of any nature.
Modbury Jets Head Coach Maurice Natale was issued with a Disciplinary Infringement Notice to attend before the independent Football SA Disciplinary Committee following allegations of racial vilification following their State League 1 Elimination Final match against Playford City on Saturday, 9 October 2021.
The Head Coach and Club attended before the Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday, 13 October 2021.
The Disciplinary Committee considered evidence given by the Coach, Club, Ground Steward, opposition coach as well as video evidence.
The Disciplinary Committee determined that, on all of the evidence, the words said by Mr Natale were not directed to a player on the field of play (or any other player) and were not said, or intended to be said, in a racist manner or with any racist meaning or connotation. It found the words were directed to Playford City team officials located in Playford’s technical area, situated between Mr Natale in the Modbury technical area and the on-field incident, who were standing up off their team bench and acting in an agitated manner in response to the on-field incident.
In light of the evidence, the Disciplinary Committee determined that it was appropriate to utilise its power to amend the charge to ‘use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures’, to which Mr Natale pleaded guilty. The Disciplinary Committee proceeded to impose a two (2) fixture suspension on Mr Natale.
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