Statement from the AIHL
Tribunal Results (Week 21 to 25 May)
Mike Brown (Canberra Knights)
Following the match between the Canberra Knights and Sydney Bears on 19 May, the League charged Canberra’s Mike Brown with breaching clauses 6.6, 6.11 and 6.12 of the AIHL Code of Conduct. The charges related to various public comments that Mr Brown made about the match officials after he had been suspended from the game.
At a Tribunal hearing on Thursday (24 May), Mr Brown pleaded guilty to all charges . The Tribunal imposed the following penalties:
• Suspension for 3 AIHL matches (this is in addition to an automatic 2 game suspension that he had received earlier in the match); and
• A suspended sentence of 6 AIHL matches, which Mr Brown will only have to serve if he is convicted of another offence this season.
Mr Brown will not be eligible to play in the AIHL until Canberra’s match against Newcastle on Saturday 30 June 2012.
Vinnie Hughes (Melbourne Ice)
On Tuesday evening (22 May) the Tribunal heard charges against Melbourne’s Vinnie Hughes, which arose from an incident in the match between the Perth Thunder and Melbourne Ice on 12 May 2012.
At the game on 12 May 2012, Mr Hughes had received an automatic 6 game suspension. His case was also referred to the AIHL Tribunal to determine whether Mr Hughes was guilty of any additional charges, and if so, whether he should face any additional penalties (beyond the 6 game suspension which has already been imposed). On Tuesday evening, the Tribunal heard evidence in the matter but has not yet handed down its final decision. It has instead given the League and Melbourne Ice a week to submit further written arguments.
Given the matter is ongoing the League will not be making any further comment on the case until the Tribunal’s final decision is announced. We expect that this will occur next week.
At the earliest, Mr Hughes will not be eligible to play in the AIHL until Melbourne Ice’s match against the Gold Coast on Sun 17 June 2012.
Further Matter
The Tribunal also heard a further matter involving a team official which arose out of the game between the Canberra Knights and the Sydney Ice Dogs on 12 May. On Thursday (24 May) the Tribunal determined that, based on the evidence before it, the charges were not proven. Therefore they were dismissed.