Punch-ups on the playing field

I believe that there is a code of conduct concerning punchups on the field. To my knowledge a civil action has not been brought by one player against another. Today , at least in NRL in OZ the judiciary are very tough on punchthrowers so the day of the one in, all in, free for all is over.
Most of the vicious striking incidents now take place in Australian Rules Football which can be a very underhanded, sneaky and vicious game.
Deane, is this all tongue in cheek stuff. I was under the impression you were not a great follower of Thugby or Footbrawl.

quote:

Originally posted by Lomo:

Deane, is this all tongue in cheek stuff. I was under the impression you were not a great follower of Thugby or Footbrawl.

Lomo

This is a fair question given my stance so far (on rugby union, anyway) but no, this is not tongue in cheek.

Now that league and union are professional games it is even more disappointing to see brawls and fights on the news. Every one of these involves criminal assault so I was wondering if, to anyone's knowledge, the police have ever laid criminal charges against any players in any country. My thinking was that if a player or players in the professional game were subject to the criminal law to the same extent that the rest of us are then the shameful thuggery in the public arena might stop.

Surely it brings the game into disrepute?

The McCracken thing was, as you mentioned, a civil suit at law.

Deane