- Andrew Bogut has found renewed success in the AFL
- He claims players offered him drugs
- Bogut jokingly called for a “cover-up” round
Andrew Bogut has accused the AFL of a “cover-up” and claims he was offered drugs by its stars following explosive allegations about cocaine use in the game.
Footy has been embroiled in a drugs scandal after it was claimed players were told to fake injuries to avoid testing after taking cocaine.
The explosive accusation has seen World Anti-Doping Agency founder and chairman Dick Pound liken the league’s alleged practices to those of cheating East German athletes in the 1970s.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon was far from impressed by that comparison, but former NBA star Bogut has hit out at the beleaguered sport, jokingly calling for the creation of a cocaine ‘cover-up’ round.
“The AFL keeps telling people how to live their lives but they need to get their own class in order before they start preaching about social issues,” the former Golden State Warriors star said.
Andrew Bogut has claimed he was offered drugs by AFL players
The AFL is in the midst of massive drug allegations that have rocked the sport
‘It’s very clear what happened. The AFL knew they had a problem with guys taking drugs, so we just let them withdraw with a sore hammy and avoid the tests that way.
‘Anyone with half a brain can see why he did it. They have clearly tried to move the chess pieces to drive a (WADA) policy that they have to adhere to – because the carrot is federal government funding.”
Bogut added that players had offered him drugs during a night out in Melbourne.
‘Everyone knows what’s happening in Melbourne. I’ve been to countless nightclubs where the AFL guys are drinking a bottle of water and jumping around like crazy,” he revealed.
“I’ve been given it (drugs) by AFL players and the fact that it has been hidden for so long shows how far the AFL tentacles can reach.”
Elsewhere, Pound urged Australian police to investigate possible links between players and organized crime gangs that could supply illegal drugs.
But Dillon rejected Pound’s “ill-informed” view.
Dick Pound has been an incredible director, he’s had some very important roles, but on those comments I think he’s way off the mark.
Bogut jokingly suggested the AFL would mount a ‘cover-up’ round in response to the allegations
“They’re misinformed and they’re wrong, but what I’m saying is that the open conversations that have come about as a result of some of this reporting, I think that’s important and we’re ready for conversations,” Dillon told to 3AW radio.
“We have been clear that our policy on illicit drugs is under review and these conversations will help us shape a policy that is fit for purpose for 2024 and beyond….”
Geelong coach Chris Scott echoed Dillon’s comments.
“That Dick Pound from Canada, or wherever he is, doesn’t have a good understanding of policy. It’s clear that he’s showing in every way that he doesn’t understand when he compares it to the East Germans.
‘Long ago, the players submitted to a system where they said, ‘Yes, we will be party to WADA policy, but in addition – and apart from that – we will submit to an illegal drug policy.’
“The players submit to it because it is a welfare-based program, not one where you can satisfy the whims of people who are only into naming and shaming.”