Crimmin’s comments come after Warrnambool District Football Umpires Association co-ordinator Dedy Friebe penned a column in the league’s official record on Saturday titled ‘When enough is enough’.

The piece stemmed from a heated match between East Warrnambool and Russells Creek on July 16 when free kicks were awarded against the Bombers following abuse directed towards umpires from those on the sidelines.

East Warrnambool coach Paul Hrabar was later handed a suspended $500 fine for venting his frustrations on social media.

The first-year coach, who will make a concerted effort to shake every umpire’s hand at the end of each game for the remainder of the season, retracted the comment and issued an apology.

Friebe’s column labelled recent treatment of umpires “unacceptable”.

“In no place in our community do we accept obscene language, profanity, taunts and threats. Why then is it okay at the footy?,” he wrote.

“For the record, everyone who goes to the footy has the right to feel safe and not threatened. There is a distinct difference between barracking and crossing the line to intimidate, insult and frighten people in a public domain. No one should have to cower in a change room in fear of attack.”

Crimmin said the league addressed the issue at a pre-planned clubs’ forum on Wednesday night and met with East Warrnambool officials on the eve of its matches against Kolora-Noorat.

“I totally agree with what was put in. Without umpires we can’t play the game,” he said. “It’s tough to get umpires – don’t be surprised if there are club umpires umpiring senior games because of this (type of behaviour).”

Crimmin was pleased with the Bombers’ proactive behaviour on Saturday.

“I saw signs up saying ‘respect umpires and no abuse’, they had a little flier in their program and the electronic scoreboard welcomed the umpires,” he said.