A Hobart man accused of assaulting a senior TSL football umpire off the field is certain to escape sanction from AFL Tasmania.
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Police are investigating an alleged incident that had occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning at a popular Salamanca night spot.
The man is said to have violently attacked field umpire Mark Tuckett just hours after officiating the Lauderdale and Clarence TSL clash.
The incident pushed Tuckett’s wife Jamie to post an upset tirade on social media.
But AFL Tasmania appears powerless to act considering the assailant is believed to be neither a registered player in the state nor a club member.
“AFL Tasmania has been made aware of the incident and we have offered support to Mark and Jamie,” AFL Tasmania chief executive Rob Auld said in a statement.
“As this is a police matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further.”
But hours after the statement, AFL Tasmania contacted The Examiner to renew its commitment to protecting the umpires.
“It is disappointing that we continue to have the matter of umpire abuse in our game,” Auld said.
“We felt like we were making good progress working with our associations, leagues and clubs and we remain committed to stamping this out of the game.
“Ending umpire abuse is one of the few matters in football where there is universal support from those involved in the game.
“We respect and value the importance of umpires and our request to the broader football community is to support us in leading the way to stamp out abuse of umpires.”
Tasmanian Football Umpires Association president Geoff Flack said the alleged attack highlights the ongoing issues for their members.
“We are definitely concerned and we are now putting actions in place,” he said.
Jamie Tuckett was a little more blunt on Facebook.
“It's pretty disgraceful when Tasmanian football umpires, who are human beings just like footballers, are unable to walk down the street without being assaulted in Salamanca,” she said.
“Mark was assaulted and luckily passing by witnesses who we didn't know were happy to give statements to the police.
“I also am (sic) targeted, someone who has nothing to do with football, cornered, abused and physically held against my will.
“My husband who has umpired TSL football for 16 years not just because he loves it, but for an income, especially now we have children and is studying to be a primary school teacher.
“This has been an incident that has occurred several times and also with his many fellow umpires, who are just like anyone else trying to enjoy a night out,” she said.
“But unfortunately intoxicated footballers and spectators feel they have the right to abuse and assault umpires who are needed for the football game to go ahead.
“They have coaches who sit and watch their every decision and the umpires know every single rule unlike uninformed spectators. Something has to give.
“I am aware it is the culture to bag the umpires but everyone forgetting these people are needed for the game to go ahead and these people are human, and are emotionally affected by the abuse they receive game after game, year after year.
“My son, who absolutely loves football and all he wants to do is play Auskick, is unable to play because of the amount of abuse Mark receives and threats that have even targeted our children. What is wrong with people?”