Magpies member banned for five years over Voss threat

Roger Vaughan and Murray Wenzel | July 10, 2025

A Collingwood member who made death threats to Carlton coach Michael Voss has been banned from the AFL and all MCG events for five years.

The AFL said the fan sent a text message to the MCG’s anti-social behaviour hotline during the match last Friday night between the two clubs at the venue.

The fan remains unidentified, despite the penalty.

“We understand there is passion in the game, however the text message in question sent to the MCG hotline on Friday crossed the line,” said AFL integrity and security boss Tony Keane.

“Regardless of the intent, no coach, player, official, staff member or fan deserves to be threatened in such a way, and now that patron has lost the privilege of attending the footy.”

The member is also banned from AFLW games for five years and the Magpies said in a separate statement that they would “follow suit” with the AFL/MCG penalty.

“The club is very disappointed by the member’s actions, which have resulted in a five-year ban from both the MCG and AFL,” the Magpies said.

“Collingwood will not tolerate any threats to officials, supporters or individuals involved in our great game – such conduct is unacceptable and not representative of the club or its values.”

The Pies won last Friday’s match by 56 points, piling more pressure onto Voss as the Blues drop out of finals contention.

Carlton will host the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night sitting 12th on the ladder with a 6-10 record.

Voss coached the Blues to a preliminary final loss against Brisbane two years ago and also made the finals last year, before dramatically dropping off the pace this season.

Vandals also sprayed graffiti on the walls at Carlton’s Ikon Park headquarters last month, calling for the club board to be sacked.

Voss’s job is guaranteed at least until the end of this campaign.

He has received plenty of support this week from rival coaches, including his old Brisbane premiership teammate Craig McRae at Collingwood and Lions counterpart Chris Fagan.