Australian Rules player banned for ‘disgraceful’ act of wiping blood on face of opponent
North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri charged with serious misconduct over the incident, for which he earns a three-match ban
A top Australian Rules player was on Monday given a three-match ban for wiping blood from his nose on the face of an opponent in what was condemned as “disgraceful behaviour”.
North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri was charged with serious misconduct over the incident on Saturday, when he targeted Essendon captain Andy McGrath.
Xerri got a bloody nose before kicking a goal and clashing physically with McGrath. The 27-year-old then wiped some of the blood onto McGrath’s face, narrowly missing his mouth.
During a tribunal hearing the case, Xerri said he was called “a weak C-word” after nailing the goal and lost his cool.
But he said he “completely owned” his mistake and admitted the charge.
“It’s not right, what I did. I’m sorry and sincerely apologise for that,” he said.
“It was just a lapse in judgment. There’s no excuses, mate. It’s a poor look. I had a brain fade.”