AFL Victoria has blocked a country team's plans to recruit former Port Adelaide and Carlton star Nick Stevens as their coach.
The state body intervened after Red Cliffs, who play in the Sunraysia league, announced last week they had recruited Stevens.
He is appealing an eight-month jail sentence for charges relating to domestic violence, with the hearing scheduled for July next year.
SANFL club Glenelg sacked Stevens as their coach in January when he was found guilty of the charges.
AFL Victoria said in a statement that being charged with offences related to violence are grounds for being refused coaching accreditation.
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"Furthermore, the AFL coaches' code of conduct states that coaches must uphold a standard of behaviour and conduct in the best interests of the game," the statement added.
It said that if Stevens coached while unaccredited, he would face a possible fine and the club could lose match points.
But AFL Victoria said he could appeal against the decision.
