Blues Brothers trip to the tribunal

[PaulP]

To be perfectly honest I don't think any of the incidents of the last two weeks are worth a suspension.
At no time would the umpires have felt threatened ...some didn't even (apparently) remember the contact.
A sliding scale of fines should be sufficient.

Players and umpires will always come into contact

When there is either obvious malice or force then the suspensions can come into play.

That could equally apply in junior leagues...none of those incidents would cause undue concern for a junior umpire.
It could be easily covered with a free+50metres.

I agree lods. But having a rule that says no contact at least makes clear the principle. If there's no rule, or a rule that allows "friendly contact" or "incidental contact", I just think it has the potential to get farcical. Are you allowed to ruffle the umpire's hair when a decision goes your way, because you're pleased with the outcome ? That's not threatening or menacing.