Watchdog slams the AFL for opening the door to criminals with its secret policy on footy stars who take drugs

All major Australian sporting codes, including the AFL, have been urged to ‘plug holes in their systems’ amid a growing threat of criminal infiltration, after an investigation into the league’s illegal drug policy cleared it of any breaches of the league’s drug codes.

The investigation was launched after Federal Independent MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege AFL players known to use illegal drugs were left out of matches, under the guise of injuries, to protect them from positive tests on race day, and violations of the rules. the WADA code.

After finding no evidence that players suggested they had injuries to avoid match tests, the SIA said the confidentiality provision championed by AFL boss Andrew Dillon, which is key to players signing up to the league’s policy, was a had aroused a ‘degree of distrust’.

Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe (pictured) warned on Monday about Australia’s largest football code

While making several recommendations to the AFL, including independent oversight of illegal drug policy, outgoing SIA boss David Sharpe sounded a major alarm about the potential corruption of athletes through the supply of illegal drugs.

Sharpe, who recently announced his resignation, said there is a clear and present threat to all of Australian sport and policies must be better aligned with the needs of 2024.

‘The illicit drug landscape in 2005, when the AFL’s IDP was first developed, was different from that of today and dictates the need for an immediate review of current policies to bring them into line with current societal trends and increasing integrity and health threats in sports. ‘ he said.

‘SIA, together with Australian law enforcement and intelligence agencies, has identified ongoing threats of criminal infiltration of Australian sport through the supply of illegal drugs and the subsequent exposure of athletes and support staff to exploitation.

The league came under investigation after being accused of allowing players who had used illegal substances to miss games to protect them from drug testing (stock image)

“All of Australian sport has reached a crossroads in dealing with illegal drug use, player mental health and wellbeing and criminal infiltration of the sport. Significant intervention is needed immediately to tackle the illegal drug culture in sport and the increasing and unacceptable risks to players, officials, clubs and sporting codes.

“All IDP sports should consider using anonymised data from their illegal testing programs to address trends and threats and close gaps in their systems that could be exploited by criminal elements.”

He said all sporting codes must send a strong message that they are not ‘open to exploitation’ with policies aligned with law enforcement agencies.

‘Sport plays a crucial role in social cohesion in our society. Sports, governments, medical professionals, educators, law enforcement and intelligence agencies must strengthen their partnerships in a nationally coordinated manner to raise awareness of sports and ensure athletes are supported, while at the same time creating an environment hostile to criminal elements,” he said.

‘The message must be conveyed now that the sport is not open to exploitation.’

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie (pictured) made these stunning claims under parliamentary privilege

While clearing the AFL of any violations of the WADA Code, the SIA report also called for changes, including the independent oversight of illegal drug policies and the continued expansion of intelligence capacity in the AFL’s Integrity Unit.

It said the issue of illegal drug use posed a significant challenge to Australian sport, and not just the AFL.

‘Without significant cultural intervention to tackle the illicit drug culture in all sports, Sport Integrity Australia is concerned about the serious impact on the health and welfare of players and the potential to bring a code or team into disrepute through integrity threats ,” Sharpe said.

The watchdog found the AFL’s secrecy policy around drug testing for players created “a degree of distrust” and urged action to prevent criminals from infiltrating the sport.

In its response, the AFL welcomed the findings, with Dillon admitting there is “room for improvement” in the league’s policies, which will be refined.

“We have said from the outset that the allegations made in Parliament reflect neither the intent nor the operation of the illegal drug policy, and we welcome the findings of the Australian Sports Integrity Service which has found no evidence to support the allegations.” Dillon said.

‘We take the integrity of our sport very seriously. It is important to emphasize the point that we do not condone illegal drug use in any way, but we accept that as a code we have a responsibility to try to change the behavior of those who make the mistake of trying/using illegal drugs.”