All major Australian sporting codes, including the AFL, have been urged to “close the loopholes in their systems” amid a growing threat of criminal infiltration after an investigation into the league’s illicit drug policy cleared it of any violation of the drug code.
The investigation was launched after federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege that AFL players known to have taken illicit drugs were being excluded from matches, under the pretext of injury, to protect them from giving positive on game day, and rule violations. the WADA code.
After finding no evidence to suggest players faked injuries to avoid matchday testing, the SIA said the confidentiality provision championed by AFL boss Andrew Dillon and key to players signing up to league policy, had created a “degree of suspicion.”
The AFL (pictured league chief executive Andrew Dillon, centre) has been told it needs to do more to keep criminals out of the game after its controversial testing policy was investigated. illegal drugs to the stars.
Sport Integrity Australia chief executive David Sharpe (pictured) sounded the warning to Australia’s top football code on Monday.
While making several recommendations to the AFL, including independent oversight of the Illicit Drugs Policy, outgoing SIA boss David Sharpe raised a significant alarm about the potential corruption of athletes through the supply of illicit drugs.
Sharpe, who recently announced his resignation, said there was a clear and present threat to all of Australian sport and policies were needed to better align with the needs of 2024.
“The illicit drug landscape was different in 2005, when the AFL IDP was first developed, to that of today and dictates the need for an immediate review of current policy to align it with current social trends and growing threats. to integrity and health in sport.’ he said.
‘The SIA, together with Australian law enforcement and intelligence agencies, have identified ongoing threats of criminal infiltration into Australian sport through the supply of illicit drugs and the subsequent exposure of athletes and support staff to exploitation.
The league was investigated after being accused of allowing players who had used illegal substances to miss games to protect them from being subjected to drug testing (file image)
‘All Australian sport has reached a crossroads in addressing illicit drug use, player mental health and wellbeing and criminal infiltration into sport. Significant intervention is required immediately to address the culture of illicit drugs in sport and the growing and unacceptable risks it poses to players, officials, clubs and sporting codes.
“All sports with an IDP should consider utilizing de-identified data obtained from their illicit testing programs to address trends and threats to close gaps in their systems that can be exploited by criminal elements.”
He said all sporting codes needed to send a strong message that they were not “open to exploitation” with policies linking to police agencies.
‘Sport plays a fundamental role in the social cohesion of our society. Sports, governments, medical professionals, educators, law enforcement and intelligence agencies must strengthen their partnerships in a coordinated manner at the national level to surround sport and ensure that athletes are supported while creating an environment hostile to criminal elements,” he said.
“The message must be sent now that sport is not open to exploitation.”
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie (pictured) made astonishing claims under parliamentary privilege.
While clearing the AFL of any breaches of the WADA code, the SIA report also called for changes, including independent oversight of the Illicit Drugs Policy and continued expansion of intelligence capability in the AFL’s Integrity Unit. AFL.
He said the issue of illicit drug use presented a significant challenge to Australian sport, not just the AFL.
“Without significant cultural intervention to address illicit drug culture across all sports, Sport Integrity Australia is concerned about the dire impacts on player health and wellbeing and the potential to bring a code or team into disrepute through threats to integrity,” Sharpe said.
The watchdog found the AFL’s secrecy policy around drug testing for players created “a degree of suspicion” and urged action to prevent criminals infiltrating the sport.
In its response, the AFL welcomed the findings and Dillon admitted there is “room for improvement” in the league’s policy that will be refined.
“We said from the outset that the allegations raised in parliament did not reflect the intent or operation of illicit drug policy and we welcome the findings of Australia’s sports integrity agency which found no evidence to support the claims.” Dillon said.
‘We take the integrity of our sport very seriously. It is important to reinforce the point that we in no way condone the use of illicit drugs, but accept that we have a responsibility as a code to try to change the behaviors of those who make the mistake of trying/using illicit drugs.’
