HAWTHORN has been sanctioned with a suspended $10,000 fine after covering a broadcast camera in its change rooms with a towel in Friday night's clash against West Coast.

Hawks ruckman Jonathon Ceglar suffered a serious knee injury in the match at Domain Stadium and the club sought to obscure vision of the big man in the change rooms at three-quarter time.

Broadcaster Channel Seven showed footage of a club staff member placing the towel over the camera after Ceglar suffered the injury.

AFL general managed football operations Mark Evans said all clubs were required to assist broadcasters and interfering with the network's ability to cover a match was prohibited.

Evans said the AFL had taken into account that Ceglar was upset after suffering his injury and therefore the sanction would be fully suspended.

He also said the player could have been taken somewhere where cameras were not present.