Geelong captain Cameron Ling has been hit with a suspended fine over his criticism of umpires after last Friday night's AFL loss to St Kilda.

Ling said in a post-match interview that "some people" seemed to have mistaken the sport for netball and that "some decisions hurt a bit".

The AFL fined Ling $3,000, but suspended the sanction until the end of the 2011 season.

"I have taken into account the good record of both Cameron and the club and Cameron's contrition," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.

"It is very important that leaders in the AFL competition set this example as we continue to struggle to retain umpires at community level."

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