Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has singled out AFL chairman Richard Goyder for criticism ahead of captain Ben Stratton's tribunal hearings.
Clarkson said it is unfair that Goyder has commented on Stratton repeatedly pinching Essendon opponent Orazio Fantasia, and said there has been hysteria around the case.
Stratton was referred directly to the tribunal for serious misconduct over the pinching.
He also was referred directly on a separate charge of stomping Essendon forward Shaun McKernan on the foot, plus Stratton faces a fine for an obscene gesture.
Clarkson spoke extensively about the pinching controversy, saying there has been trial by media ahead of the hearing.
"I can't marry up the hysteria with what actually happened," Clarkson told AFL360.
"We have the AFL chief in Richard making comment on the Saturday about a tribunal (case).
"I'm not angry about it, it's just interesting ... Let the tribunal run its course - unfortunately given the hysteria of this, it's going to be a significant case of trial by media.
"It's very difficult for the governing body to have their view put forward before the actual tribunal takes place - I don't think that's particularly fair."
Clarkson noted that Stratton expressed remorse for the pinching over the weekend, and Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves also publicly criticised their captain.
The Hawks coach compared the pinching to cricket's sandpaper debacle in South Africa, where Australians Steve Smith, David Warner and Cam Bancroft were banned for ball tampering.
"It's a little bit like Sandpapergate though, in a sense," Clarkson said.
"This sort of stuff, although we don't like it, has been going on in the game for a long, long period.
"There are all sorts of tactics that players use to try to put their opponents off.
"Is this outside the rules of the game and untowards? Of course it was - Ben put his hand up and acknowledged that."
It also emerged on Monday that Stratton escaped a pinching charge a fortnight ago because the AFL found there was no clear evidence.
Match reviewer Michael Christian was asked why Stratton was not cited for pinching Brisbane opponent Charlie Cameron in their round-11 clash.
"There was no clear evidence that was presented of pinching in that particular case," Christian said.
Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley was fined $1200 six years ago for pinching North Melbourne great Brent Harvey.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn's Jarman Impey can accept a $2000 fine for striking Zach Merrett.
North Melbourne key forward Ben Brown was cleared of a match day report after he elbowed GWS defender Matt Buntine to the head.
Christian ruled there was insufficient force to warrant a charge.
Kangaroos skipper Jack Ziebell was also cleared of a bump on Toby Greene.
But two teammates will be out of pocket, with Kayne Turner offered a $2000 fine for striking Jeremy Cameron. Luke Davies-Uniacke was fined $1000 for umpire contact.
Carlton veteran Dale Thomas faces a $2000 fine for striking Western Bulldogs opponent Josh Dunkley.
Fremantle's David Mundy was fined $1000 for pushing Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray into the path of an umpire.
Australian Associated Press
