Carlton veteran Dale Thomas has been hit with a $7500 fine for abusing umpire Michael Barlow in round nine.
Thomas is alleged to have called the official "a f***ing cheat" during the Blues' heavy loss to GWS on Sunday afternoon.
The incident reportedly occurred after Barlow told the Giants they had too many players in the forward 50, giving them the chance to avoid a warning for a starting positions breach.
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These verbal instructions have been given throughout the season, with umpires told to assist teams in adjusting to the new rules.
Thomas, 31, was reported and referred straight to the tribunal for the tirade.
The AFL’s counsel, Jeff Gleeson QC, said there was no worse insult to level at an umpire than accusing them of cheating.
Thomas apologised for his actions and has reached out to Barlow.
"I'm extremely apologetic for the way in which I acted, the words in which I used and the way I spoke to umpire Barlow," Thomas said afterwards.
"I reached out to him (on Tuesday) to issue that apology. I spoke to him on the phone and he accepted that quite well.
"It was tremendously unfortunate that I put myself in that position, I'm really disappointed in myself for doing that.
"Umpires are an amazing part of our game. Without them, we wouldn't have a game. For me to do that, as an experienced player, it does not set a good example.
"I put my hand up to that, hence the guilty plea, and the sanction has accompanied that. We move on now, I look forward to Sunday's game and there will be no more of this in the future."
The only other player to front up to the tribunal on Tuesday evening was Richmond ruckman Ivan Soldo, who failed to win his appeal.
Filling in for the injured Toby Nankervis, Soldo was hit with a one-match ban by match review officer Michael Christian for an elbow to Hawthorn youngster James Worpel.
The Tigers argued Worpel made a bee-line for Soldo who used his arm to protect himself, also pointing to footage that shows the ruckman immediately apologising.
Soldo's absence leaves Richmond without a clear ruck choice for Saturday night's clash against Essendon.
Check out the video below.
"He hasn't got a Brownlow medal just yet, Ivan."#TalkingFooty panel can't believe Ivan Soldo got a week. pic.twitter.com/YVeXNfkfke
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 20, 2019
Collingwood opted not to challenge Travis Varcoe's one-match ban for forceful front-on contact on Ed Phillips.
Same goes for Brisbane who accepted Rhys Mathieson's one-game ban for a strike on Jordan Gallucci.
