""James Hird and the Essendon Football Club accept the findings of the AFL commission and the sanctions they deemed fit. Both the club and James were given a fair hearing.

""James is fully aware of the mistake he has made and - contrary to some misguided media reports - he has been counselled by the club. This process was undertaken in private between the club and player as it should be.

""James will make a statement on tonight’s Footy Show which we sincerely hope will resolve a pending legal issue and bring this matter to a close.

""The Essendon Football Club will be actively involved in James’ mentoring role with umpires. Like James, we sincerely hope we can make a difference to the public perception of umpires and build a respect among the football community for the important role they play in our game.

""As such we certainly hope that out of a negative can come a positive and that has certainly been the attitude of James and this club.

""The club would also like to re-iterate the wishes of James, Kevin Sheedy and the club as a whole that Scott McLaren be treated with the respect he deserves during tomorrow night’s game.""

Essendon Football Club has also been fined $5000 under regulation 16.1 which provides that where a player contravenes this regulation (ie: criticises an umpire), that person’s club is liable to a sanction of $5000 for a first offence.