He said when he was removed by security and police and told to leave the ground he was informed by an AFL integrity officer he would be contacated within two days by the AFL regarding the matter but he had still not heard from the league. The fan, who wanted to be known only as "Frankie" and not provide his real name because of concern at the backlash he had already received, said he had called out to Mr Nicholls and said "you can’t handball one-handed, you bald headed flog". The AFL has denied there has been a change in what is considered permissible behaviour at matches despite other recent incidents including a Collingwood fan who said on Monday he was threatened with eviction because he was barracking too loudly and a Richmond cheer squad member who was banned from sitting with the cheer squad for three matches after calling an umpire a "green maggot". On Monday, Pies supporter Simon Grech, 39, a self-described "very passionate supporter", said he was sitting at the Queen's Birthday clash at the MCG with a group of mates in his usual seat in the Collingwood reserve section when the police approached him in the second quarter after a spectacular Jordan De Goey goal. Umpire Matthew Nicholls and security guards point out the Carlton fan. Credit:Wayne Ludbey

He said police acknowledged that he was not swearing or being abusive, and when he questioned them about the apparent problem an officer replied: "Do you hear what I said? You're barracking too loud." Mr Grech said another officer told him he wasn't doing anything wrong but that they had to follow protocol. "I want to know whose orders are they acting on because it's getting beyond a joke," Mr Grech said. "I'm not at the ballet, I'm at the footy. I pay $1000 a year ... Why should the AFL take my money and then take away my right to support my team?

Simon Grech says he was almost evicted by police at the MCG on Monday. "For the whole second half I didn't say boo. They used the words 'unsociable barracking' or something like that ... do they want us to wear seat belts now so we can't jump up? "You want me to start fairy-clapping? Are we at a cupcake contest?" The incident sparked a social media firestorm after someone sitting nearby posted to Twitter that the father of two was "not offensive, not swearing, just loud".

Fans have been up in arms after the recent bans and evictions for what many say is no more than passionate supporting. The AFL Fans Association is looking into Mr Grech's claims and those of another supporter who posted to Twitter on Monday that four men sitting nearby were kicked out for no obvious reason. Victoria Police Commander Tim Hansen said it was common for officers to speak to patrons about their behaviour during a match based on their observations or complaints from other fans. "Often a simple reminder for people to be aware of how their behaviour is impacting others can calm a situation and prevent it from escalating further," he said.

Illustration: Matt Golding Credit: AFLFA president Gerry Eeman said he had received many complaints from fans about a new "overly heavy-handed approach" about what was acceptable at games. "What is deemed acceptable has changed, but nobody's actually been told." Mr Eeman said the recent spate of highly publicised violence at the MCG was a separate problem. "The issue is about fans feeling like there's a big brother around and they're unsure about what they can and can't say," he said.

"The overwhelming majority of fans want a no-tolerance approach to violence at the football." The association has called on the league to provide clarity about what can and can't be said at the football. Mr Grech said police told him Melbourne supporters sitting nearby, who he was initially unaware of given his Collingwood seats, had reported him for his barracking. Jordan De Goey of the Magpies celebrates a goal. Credit:AAP He said fellow fans offered their support after the incident, including the two elderly ladies who regularly sit behind him.

Loading Mr Grech said police told him to tone it down and that next time he would be evicted. He said he was worried police would be watching him when he's next at the ground, to see the Pies play Hawthorn. The AFL and Victoria Police in May promised a crackdown on drunken brawls at the MCG after repeated violence. Lifetime bans could be handed down for high-level violence, with five-year bans the new minimum. But alcohol bans were ruled out, because police say that could lead to "pre-loading" – binge drinking before games – or unfairly punishing well-behaved fans. The move came in the days after four men, including a father and son, were charged with affray after the Collingwood-Carlton match at the MCG.