100 AFL players ‘have secret immunity’ from being busted for drugs – as MP who made explosive cover-up allegations blasts Albo’s government for silencing him
- Footy insiders claim 100 players have secret drug immunity
- Andrew Wilkie wondered whether the government has been involved in a cover-up
- The AFL has said it makes no apologies about the arrangement
About 100 AFL players have reportedly been given secret immunity from the sport’s three-strike policy – as the MP who made the allegations criticized the federal government for silencing him.
On Tuesday, independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie told Parliament about 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 matches to avoid matchday tests, Mr Wilkie revealed.
He claimed hundreds of thousands of Australians would watch matches without knowing they had been ‘secretly’ rigged by the AFL.
The AFL said it was unapologetic about the plan, explaining the league was committed to “player welfare and welfare” and saying not taking the field meant players were not breaking doping rules.
100 AFL players have reportedly been given secret immunity from the sport’s three-strike policy (pictured, Melbourne Demons star Joel Smith, who returned a positive cocaine test on match day last year)
The AFL stated it was unapologetic about the plan and said it was committed to ‘player welfare and well-being’ (pictured, league CEO Andrew Dillon on Wednesday)
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said ‘we’re talking about a handful of players’, but footy insiders have the Herald Sun that it could be much bigger.
Sources say clubs are actively identifying cocaine users and putting them into ‘the medical model’, meaning they don’t receive strikes.
“Even the cleanest clubs would have around five players in this so-called rehabilitation programme,” said an insider.
‘Some would have much more. Spread over 18 clubs, we are talking about perhaps 100 players.’
Another source said the program was “a mechanism to cover up drug use.”
Wilkie called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene and “do everything he can to restore and protect the reputation of our beloved game.”
However, Albanians rejected the calls during Question Time on Wednesday.
“These allegations – I don’t know if they’re true or not,” he said.
MP Andrew Wilkie has criticized the government for silencing him
The Prime Minister said his job description does not fall under the control of the Australian Football League
‘I have a big job.
“The job description does not indicate the control of the Australian Football League.”
Mr Wilkie also accused the Labor government of preventing him from submitting evidence of misconduct among AFL staff and executives after his decision was voted down.
He also questioned whether the government was involved in a “huge misstep or cover-up.”
The Prime Minister said Mr Wilkie should have gone to the person at the dispatch box in the room if he was serious about submitting the documents.
Mr Albanese says he is always open to discussion with other members.
“Sport Integrity Australia is aware of the issue and they have begun their review,” he said.
‘I am sure (Mr Wilkie) will forward all documentation to the appropriate authority.’