AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has derided talk of fans booing Bachar Houli as complete rubbish.
The league chief executive has pointed out the original tribunal decision to suspend Houli for only two matches had nothing to do with the Richmond defender.
His comments came after AFL operations manager Simon Lethlean took the unprecedented step of appealing against that penalty, leading to Thursday night's decision to double the suspension.
Houli returns in round 19 and there has been speculation fans might have a hot reception for him.
"It's complete rubbish. I'd be incredibly disappointed if that happened," McLachlan told 3AW.
"Other than Bachar's careless act, which happens in our game, the decision to give two games had nothing to do with (him).
"I certainly feel that (four games) is the right sanction."
Lethlean made a point of praising Houli's character after the appeal hearing, where the "good bloke defence" was shot down.
The tribunal lessened Houli's original penalty after several glowing character references were tabled at the hearing but the leniency sparked an uproar around the AFL.
"He's a leader in our game, a player and a person of great integrity," Lethlean said.
"His remorse for his actions were clear after the completion of the match."
Houli was always facing suspension after his swinging arm knocked out Carlton opponent Jed Lamb on Sunday.
Hawthorn captain Jarryd Roughead pointed out Houli would be in much hotter water if the incident had happened in daily life.
"If this isn't on a footy field and it's outside at a pub or something like that, then Bachar's in a fair bit more trouble than just four weeks suspension," Roughead told Gold FM.
"Just because it's played on a footy field doesn't mean it's any different."
Lamb's concussion ruled him out of the Carlton side this weekend but coach Brendon Bolton hopes he will miss just one game.
Bolton also praised Houli for contacting Lamb after last weekend's game.
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