The AFL has fined Greater Western Sydney $20,000 in the wake of the club's general manager of football, Jason McCartney, approaching umpires during last Friday night's match against the Bulldogs in Canberra.
The incident, a breach of AFL rules, occurred at half-time in the round-six match at Manuka Oval, which the Bulldogs won by 39 points.
McCartney was reportedly upset by the free kick count that heavily favoured the Bulldogs in the opening two quarters. The Giants were trailing by eight points at half-time.
"I unreservedly apologise and accept responsibility for my actions on Friday night," McCartney said in a Giants statement.
"Umpires play a vital role at all levels of our game and those of us fortunate enough to work at the elite level must set an example in the way we show respect towards those officiating our game."
AFL executive general manager football operations Steve Hocking said every stakeholder in the league had a responsibility to set the right example for those involved at the grassroots level.
"We can never underestimate the impact of the actions of those at AFL level on all levels of the game," he said in an AFL statement.
"Whether you are involved in Australian football at the elite level or the community level, everyone has a responsibility to demonstrate respect towards umpires at all times.
"The rules are clear. Disrespect towards umpires has no place in our game."
