The AFL tribunal has handed Carlton’s Chris Yarran a three week suspension for striking Essendon’s Paul Chapman. Yarran pleaded guilty to the striking charge.
The incident occurred during the first few minutes of Saturday’s match at the MCG. Video footage (below) shows Yarran and Chapman scuffling with each other before Yarran struck the Essondon player with a left jab, leaving him with a cut above his right eye and reportedly blurred vision.
Reports the ABC, the incident was directly referred to the tribunal, making it the first time the panel has sat this season. It was Yarran’s first time in front of the tribunal and as a result of his suspension the Blues player will miss games against St Kilda, Collingwood and Brisbane.
Chris Yarran’s counsel Marcus Clarke compared this incident to Ty Vickery’s four-match suspension last season, successfully arguing the contact Yarran made was less severe. He will be eligible to play Carlton’s upcoming game against the Greater Western Sydney Giants on May 16th.
Yarran said during the hearing and afterwards that he was sorry for the incident. “I accept the tribunal’s sanction – it wasn’t my intention to hurt Paul, who I respect enormously.”
