Changes for International Rules

[Beaussie]

Rules agreed to mend Ireland rift
By Michael Stevens
January 26, 2006
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,86 ... 11,00.html

THE AFL has moved to heal the rift that threatened the future of the International Rules Series against Ireland.

Despite a 10-year agreement between the AFL and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to contest the matches, Irish anger over Chris Johnson's behaviour in the second game last year put the series in jeopardy.

GAA president Sean Kelly confirmed yesterday that anti-AFL sentiment in Ireland had been very strong after Johnson was sent off for striking two Irish players.

"There were motions before our last inter-council meeting and coming up again at our congress (in April) to terminate the series," Kelly said.

"But we asked them to hold back until we had an opportunity to discuss matters with the AFL.

"We have now done so, so we'll go back in a much more positive frame of mind, and I would be hopeful that certainly we can guarantee the series for this year and into the future as well."

Both parties have agreed on the following new rules.

ANY player guilty of a red card offence will automatically be sent off for the rest of the game, with no replacement, and a penalty kick will be awarded to the opposition. A tribunal hearing will then determine any further penalty, with a minimum of a one-match suspension for any guilty verdict.

ANY player guilty of a yellow-card offence will be sent off for 15 minutes, with a replacement allowed, and no penalty kick. If a player receives two yellow cards, he will be sent off with no replacement. A tribunal hearing will then determine any further penalty.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou condemned the "unsavoury incidents" of last year's series .

"We are one, as we've always been, on the attitude of zero tolerance to on-field violence," Demetriou said.

"There is no place for that sort of activity on any sporting field, let alone any AFL game, GAA game or international rules game.

"Both the AFL and GAA agree that those sort of incidents have no place in our game.

"Having said that we know that Chris Johnson apologised immediately after that game and was dealt with by the judiciary, and appropriate action has been taken."

Kelly said the joint committee for the series would review the rules and the conduct of the series, and this would take place in May.

"Should the series continue, a number of initiatives have been agreed in relation to the training and preparation of match officials and the AFL expressed a strong desire to continue the youth series," Kelly said.

Demetriou said the AFL had also agreed to re-examine its rules on international player drafting, to address concerns expressed by the GAA.

"The GAA is keen to ensure that younger players are protected to ensure they could complete their schooling and become established in their home counties," Demetriou said.

"We will examine our drafting rules on international players and then come back to the GAA with a proposal."

Herald Sun

Still can't believe the GAA were threatening to call the entire series off because of the Johnson incident.

Is this anti-AFL sentiment in Ireland discussed above for real or is it just coming from the GAA?

At least the series will continue I suppose.

[Grim Reaper]

I think the International Rules concept is a joke....Why only play the boring Irish.....If I was the AFL boss I should get on the phone to the democratically elected HAMAS leaders in Palestine and arrange to have some games over there. I think playing a team from Palestine would be much more exciting.....Yes I know the Jews won't like it but so what!

[Beaussie]

There are plans to include South Africa in a few years time. Apparently Australian Football is growing rapidly in the provinces over there. Would be great to see a Tri-Nations series.

[Glasgow Celtic]

Rules agreed to mend Ireland rift
By Michael Stevens
January 26, 2006
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,86 ... 11,00.html

THE AFL has moved to heal the rift that threatened the future of the International Rules Series against Ireland.

Despite a 10-year agreement between the AFL and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to contest the matches, Irish anger over Chris Johnson's behaviour in the second game last year put the series in jeopardy.

GAA president Sean Kelly confirmed yesterday that anti-AFL sentiment in Ireland had been very strong after Johnson was sent off for striking two Irish players.

"There were motions before our last inter-council meeting and coming up again at our congress (in April) to terminate the series," Kelly said.

"But we asked them to hold back until we had an opportunity to discuss matters with the AFL.

"We have now done so, so we'll go back in a much more positive frame of mind, and I would be hopeful that certainly we can guarantee the series for this year and into the future as well."

Both parties have agreed on the following new rules.

ANY player guilty of a red card offence will automatically be sent off for the rest of the game, with no replacement, and a penalty kick will be awarded to the opposition. A tribunal hearing will then determine any further penalty, with a minimum of a one-match suspension for any guilty verdict.

ANY player guilty of a yellow-card offence will be sent off for 15 minutes, with a replacement allowed, and no penalty kick. If a player receives two yellow cards, he will be sent off with no replacement. A tribunal hearing will then determine any further penalty.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou condemned the "unsavoury incidents" of last year's series .

"We are one, as we've always been, on the attitude of zero tolerance to on-field violence," Demetriou said.

"There is no place for that sort of activity on any sporting field, let alone any AFL game, GAA game or international rules game.

"Both the AFL and GAA agree that those sort of incidents have no place in our game.

"Having said that we know that Chris Johnson apologised immediately after that game and was dealt with by the judiciary, and appropriate action has been taken."

Kelly said the joint committee for the series would review the rules and the conduct of the series, and this would take place in May.

"Should the series continue, a number of initiatives have been agreed in relation to the training and preparation of match officials and the AFL expressed a strong desire to continue the youth series," Kelly said.

Demetriou said the AFL had also agreed to re-examine its rules on international player drafting, to address concerns expressed by the GAA.

"The GAA is keen to ensure that younger players are protected to ensure they could complete their schooling and become established in their home counties," Demetriou said.

"We will examine our drafting rules on international players and then come back to the GAA with a proposal."

Herald Sun

Still can't believe the GAA were threatening to call the entire series off because of the Johnson incident.

Is this anti-AFL sentiment in Ireland discussed above for real or is it just coming from the GAA?

At least the series will continue I suppose.

the anti AFL sentiment in ireland is for real. At least the AFL had brains to resolve the situation. Yes why dont oz play england,canada or other countries that play int rules.

[Beaussie]

There are plans to add South Africa to the International Rules series in a few years time. I still think threats to cancel all future games because of the Johnson incident are a bit extreme. Well the GAA got their way with rule changes anyway.