Gold Coast captain Steven May has been spared a suspension despite touching an umpire, and is free to lead his AFL side in China against Port Adelaide this weekend.
The 26-year-old pleaded not guilty to a charge of intentional contact and instead was found guilty of carelessly touching an official in the club's heavy loss to Melbourne on Saturday.
The decision brings into question the commonly held view that the umpires can not be touched.
It also gives Carlton hope that Charlie and Ed Curnow - who will appear at the tribunal on Tuesday night on the same charges - could escape bans.
Last week, Geelong forward Tom Hawkins was issued a one-week suspensions for touching an umpire in the club's round seven win over GWS Giants.
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While the actions of the two Curnows are similar in nature to Hawkins' effort and are more likely to see suspensions issued, May's action was different.
May was replicating the contest that led to a free kick being given against him by Harris when he touched the official.
The Suns leader was referred directly to the tribunal after making contact with field umpire David Harris.
May said he didn't even feel the umpire at the time.
"I actually didn't realise I hit him when I was walking off the field for halftime and I saw the big screen," he said in evidence on a video-link from the Gold Coast.
"It happened really fast and I didn't even know."
May was replicating the contest that led to a free kick being given against him by Harris when he touched the official.
He admitted being "frustrated" by the decision, with player advocate Stephen Russell saying May showed "no aggression and nothing of that sort" towards Harris.
The tribunal, chaired by Ross Howie, deliberated for 12 minutes before finding him not guilty.
May's downgraded charge brought a $1000 fine and allows him to take part in the marquee fixture in Shanghai.
Already without co-captain Tom Lynch, Pearce Hanley and several other key players, May's availability is a major boost for the out-of-form Suns.
Sam Day won't be heading to China with the Suns after he accepted a one-week ban for a low blow on Neville Jetta.
Gold Coast have just one win - a five-point triumph over Brisbane - in their last six matches.
