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.”