- Soccer experts claim that 100 players have secret immunity to drug policy
- Andrew Wilkie wonders if the government has been involved in the cover-up
- The AFL has stated it does not apologize for the plan.
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Around 100 AFL players have reportedly been given secret immunity from the sport’s three strikes policy, as the MP who made the allegations criticized the federal government for silencing him.
On Tuesday, Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie informed Parliament of the allegations against Melbourne Demons club doctor Zeeshan Arain and football club president Glen Bartlett.
Players who tested positive for drugs faked injuries and withdrew from games to avoid testing on game day, Wilkie revealed.
He claimed hundreds of thousands of Australians would watch the games unaware that they had been “secretly manipulated” by the AFL.
The AFL stated that it did not apologize for the plan, explaining that the league is committed to the “welfare and well-being of the players” and said the fact that the players did not take the field meant they were not breaking doping rules.
100 AFL players have reportedly been granted secret immunity from the sport’s three strikes policy (pictured Melbourne Demons star Joel Smith, who tested positive for cocaine on the day of the game last year).
The AFL stated it made no apologies for the plan, saying they were committed to the “welfare and well-being of the players” (pictured league chief executive Andrew Dillon on Wednesday).
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said “we’re talking about a handful of players” but football experts have told the Herald of the sun which could be much higher.
Sources said clubs are actively identifying cocaine users and placing them in “the medical model,” meaning they don’t get strikes.
“Even the cleanest clubs would have around five players in this so-called rehab programme,” a source said.
‘Some would have much more. In 18 clubs we are talking about about 100 players.”
Another source said the program was “a mechanism to cover up drug use.”
Wilkie urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene and “do everything possible to restore and protect the reputation of our beloved game”.
However, Albanese rejected the calls during question time on Wednesday.
“I don’t know if these accusations are correct or not,” he said.
MP Andrew Wilkie has criticized the government for silencing him
The premier said his job description is not to control the Australian Football League.
‘I have a great job.
“The job description is not the control of the Australian Football League.”
Wilkie also accused the Labor government of preventing him from presenting evidence of misconduct among AFL staff and executives after his move was rejected.
He also questioned whether the government had been involved in a “major misstep or a cover-up.”
The Prime Minister said Wilkie should have gone to the person in the chamber’s dispatch box if he really wanted to produce the documents.
Albanese said he was always open to debate with other members.
“Sport Integrity Australia is aware of the issue and has begun its assessment,” he said.
“I’m sure (Mr Wilkie) will forward any documentation to the appropriate body.”