SWFL 2023: Collie Eagles player Billy Bebbington reported for threatening, making contact with umpire

A Collie Eagles player is facing a date with the South West Football League tribunal after allegedly threatening an umpire while being sent off the ground. Billy Bebbington was reported for using abusive, insulting or obscene language towards an umpire, as well as making deliberate contact with an umpire in an incident during the third quarter of Collie’s round 14 match against Carey Park on Saturday at Collie Recreation Ground. After engaging in push and shove following a hard tackle, Bebbington was initially issued a yellow card. However, as Bebbington was making his way towards the Collie interchange to spend 15 minutes on the bench, it is understood he made a comment which prompted field umpire Cameron Valenti to then issue a red card. Upon being issued the red card, Bebbington returned to the umpire, before eventually leaving the field. As Bebbington walked towards the changeroom, he could be heard threatening Valenti, allegedly telling him to “wait until after the game, I’ll f...ing knock you out”. Immediately after the comment was made, Valenti urged Collie coach Kade East and club officials to have Bebbington escorted from the ground, out of concern for his own safety. After Carey Park stormed home to win 16.13 (109) to 5.7 (37), East apologised to Valenti on Bebbington’s behalf for his conduct. According to the SWFL by-laws, using abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language manner towards or in relation to an umpire, results in an automatic tribunal referral. A player guilty of a career first offence would be issued a $150 fine, a second offence would result in a one match suspension and a $150 fine, while any offence after the second guilty plea will result in a tribunal hearing.