Carlton coach Michael Voss, AFL integrity unit, serious threat
Carlton has been alerted to a 'heinous and inappropriate' threat directed at under-siege coach Michael Voss in the wake of the club's horror form slump.
The shocking message is understood to reference a brutal end to his life, but is not being treated as a credible death threat.
The Blues confirmed to the Herald Sun they had been made aware of the aggressive threat from a fan against Voss, which was sent to the AFL late last week.
The league's integrity department is investigating the matter.
The club denounced the 'vile language' used in the message and said it would not stand for any threats or intimidation against any of its staff or players including the senior coach.
A senior football figure confirmed Carlton and league officials were concerned by the contents of the message and said the inappropriate nature of it was being taken seriously.
The club has branded the message as horrific and 'completely unacceptable'.
The AFL will consider extra security measures for Voss and any Carlton staff as necessary.
Voss, 50, is contracted for next year, but has come under intense pressure to keep his job after falling out of the finals mix with six wins from 16 games.
The Blues take on reigning premier Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
The Blues targeted a top-four berth this year but have not met expectations, prompting potential change to the football departmentand its list at season's end.
It comes a fortnight after the Blues' headquarters was targeted by vandals who painted graffiti on the walls at Ikon Park last month.
Police have investigated the incident and assessed footage from multiple CCTV cameras in the area.
The club's social media accounts have also been inundated with negative posts from fans amid the team's poor form in recent weeks.
The Herald Sun has contacted the AFL about the Voss threat.
A champion midfielder, Voss is considered one of the greatest players in the game's recent history, having led the Lions to three premierships in 2001-03.
Voss was hailed a 'true blue hero' in August 2024 after stopping an armed car thief in a dramatic citizen's arrest. He was waiting for his morning coffee at the Barton Milk Bar in Hawthorn when two alleged hoons crashed a Mercedes opposite the cafe.
He chased down one of the thieves, a 16-year-old boy armed with a knife, pinning him down until police arrived.
Voss' coaching record at Carlton is 45 wins from 87 games.
Originally published as Serious threat towards Carlton coach Michael Voss investigated by AFL integrity unit
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