The AFL Tribunal has suspended Carlton star Chris Yarran for three weeks for striking Essendon’s Paul Chapman.
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Yarran pleaded guilty to the striking charge after he was referred directly to the tribunal by the AFL’s match review panel.
He will miss Carlton’s ANZAC Day clash with St Kilda on Saturday, as well as crunch games against rivals Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.
The 24-year-old struck Chapman with a left jab, reportedly believing Chapman had tried to head-butt him.
Chapman was forced to leave the field as blood gushed from his head and was later tested for concussion following the first quarter incident.
The punch forced Chapman to receive stitches above his eye after the game, with the AFL’s Match Review Panel deeming Yarran’s action’s to be intentional conduct with high impact to the head, according to a statement.
Yarran apologised for his actions following the hearing, saying he respected Chapman “enormously”.
“It wasn’t my intention to hurt Paul, who I respect enormously, and I’m very sorry for it,” Yarran is quoted as saying by AFL.com.au.
“I’d like to apologise to the Carlton supporters and I look forward to getting out in three weeks’ time with my teammates and hopefully getting a few wins on the board.”
Check out the incident between Yarran and Chapman below:
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