Tuohy blasts AFL officials on Twitter

Laois’ Carlton player Zach Tuohy has become embroiled in an umpire controversy in Australia after accusing the AFL of attempting to “gag” players.

The 22-year-old backed team-mates Marc Murphy and Jeremy Laidler who used Twitter to express their frustration about the umpiring in the Melbourne club’s defeat to the West Coast Eagles on Thursday night. Portlaoise’s Tuohy also took to the social networking site to criticise AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou who described the pair’s tweets as unacceptable.

“Pity afl players cant have an opinion on the game we play without being criticized ... #gagged #goodtoknowwherewestand.”

Tuohy’s tweet was so popular in Australia it began trending in the country.

Injured stars Murphy and Laidler both took a swipe at the officialdom on the night. “Ruined a good game those blokes,” Murphy tweeted.

Laidler wrote: “Are you not meant to try and b 1st in at the footy anymore. If u do u will b pinned for holding the ball. SHOCKING!!!!”

Demetriou insisted the AFL adopt a “zero-tolerance” attitude towards tweets about umpiring.

“If you’re a player, under our rules, or a club official, you can’t comment about the umpires,” he said.