BFL chief executive officer Steven Oliver confirmed yesterday that the league’s investigation officer, Phil Norris, had launched an investigation on Tuesday on behalf of the Magpies.

The investigation pertains to an alleged incident involving Houston, who was coaching from the sidelines, and contact made to Magpies teenager Zac Hansford, one of Castlemaine’s Bendigo Pioneers-listed players.

The Bendigo Advertiser understands the two clubs tried to mediate the situation after the game - which the Tigers won by three points - but to no avail.

Norris has 21 days to return his findings to the league.

“Any club that wants an investigation has to put up $500, which is a VCFL by-law,” Oliver said.

“Once that is received, which it has been from Castlemaine, we then start the process and it’s all then independent. So we will wait for the investigation officer’s report and see what comes of that.”

If it is found that Houston has a case to answer, it would be the second time the coach has had to front the BFL tribunal.

Last year he was forced to coach Kyneton’s round 18 game against Golden Square from behind the fence after being found guilty of making an obscene gesture to an umpire.