Media Statement | The official Ovens and Murray FNL league statement regarding the decision to strip the Wangaratta FNC of the 2022 premiership.
The SS&A Ovens and Murray Football Netball League advise a Special Board Meeting was held Monday night, to address the recent sanctions handed down by the AFLNEB disciplinary committee to the Wangaratta FNC in relation to salary cap breaches.
The OMFNL Board can confirm that the Wangaratta FNC has been found in breach of the following OMFNL Bylaw:
6. COMPETITION CONDITIONS
iv) Clubs must observe the OMFNL Equalisation Guidelines, and the AFL Victoria Community Club Sustainability Program, including AFL Victoria Player Points System and Allowable Player Payments Rules.
As a result of this breach, the OMFNL Board have acted under the following OMFNL Bylaw:
29. INFRINGEMENTS
a) Where the OMFNL is of the opinion that a Club or any coach, player, trainer, official or employee of a Club has contravened the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or the Bylaws the OMFNL may deal with the matter in any manner which in its absolute discretion it thinks fit.
The OMFNL Board have determined the following outcomes:
• The 2022 OMFNL Senior football premiership awarded to the Wangaratta FNC cannot be recognised due to the AFL Victoria APP Rule breach. As such, there will be no OMFNL Senior football premier declared for the 2022 season.
David Sinclair (OMFNL Chairman) – “Whilst aware of the emotion surrounding last night’s decision, particularly to the players, volunteers and supporters of the Wangaratta FNC, the League remains committed to the Allowable Player Payment Rules and absolute integrity around this. Where a breach is proven, innocent mistake or otherwise, the League simply cannot award a Premiership where sanctions are handed out that bring into focus the integrity of the competition”.