AFL Suspected Of Essendon Deal

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The 2013 Essendon saga once again hit the front pages with revelations from the Herald Sun casting a murky shadow of back room negotiations and deals to resolve the supplements issue. Evidence uncovered suggests that the AFL was a party to deals brokered by the Australian Sports Commission just days ahead of the August hearings which culminated in the sanctions against Essendon, James Hird, Dean Robinson, Danny Corcoran and Dr. Bruce Reid. Commission chairman John Wylie is a long-time personal friend of Andrew Demetriou's right hand man and AFL Commissioner Mike Fitzpatrick and Essendon chairman Paul Little.

One piece of evidence cited was an emailed document from Wylie to Little which outlined possible settlement terms. Those terms included a proposal that James Hird "takes responsibility for the inadequate governance and oversight within the club's football department that gave rise to this situation" with acknowledgment that Hird "did not promote or encourage an unethical environment within the club; Hird has not brought the game into disrepute." In exchange, Hird, believed to be under immense pressure, dropped his plans to take his case to court and accepted the 12 month suspension. It is also believed that Hird wanted to remain on salary by the club or there would be no deal.

It is also believed that offers of no sanctions against the players and "no double jeopardy" was discussed, despite ASADA's ongoing investigations. Wylie responded by saying that he was asked by Little and Fitzpatrick to "assist in communications between the AFL and Essendon at a time when ­direct communication between them was difficult." Wylie also stated that he was asked to assist, not as a representative of the commission, but as a personal friend. He further stated that the agreements reached were matters between the AFL and Essendon.

Little backed up Wylie's claim and also denied that Wylie had any discussions with Hird. He also denied any discussions with Demetriou before or during the hearings and said he had no knowledge of the AFL Commission's discussions regarding Hird.

Demetriou went on radio and also denied that any deals were done behind closed doors, saying the sanctions which were determined were announced on the day. He also said that Hird was not being paid by Essendon. According to Hird's attorneys, there is no stipulation that Hird not be paid by the club in the settlement documents.

AFL spokesman James Tonkin said, "Numerous discussions took place at different levels in a bid to resolve the matter as quickly and appropriately as possible. These negotiations were in good faith, in the best interests of our game, were always appropriate and assisted in achieving the resolution." It is not known if all AFL commissioners were aware of Wylie's involvement or of proposed inducements at the time they were asked to sign off on the final resolution against Essendon and its four officials on August 27.

There have also been allegations against former chairman David Evans. It is believed that Evans did not tell all when interviewed by investigators and told Hird not to tell everything he knew. One report had Evans asking Hird not to "incriminate" him when interviewed.

Now the federal government may be involved after receiving scathing reports that confidential information had been leaked. One of those reports came from Hird's law firm. It outlines concerns regarding the joint investigations conducted by the AFL and ASADA. Besides the leaking of information, the report also claims ASADA relied on the AFL to compel people to be interviewed and provide materials. The leaked information allegedly came from an AFL staff member who was actually assisting with the interviews but was also himself quizzed by ASADA.

Hird's advisers delivered the report to federal Sports Minister Peter Dutton and Attorney-General George Brandis. Dutton has issued a "please explain" letter to Wylie over his role in the alleged secret negotiations. The "Hird" report states in part that it was inappropriate for ASADA and the AFL to embark on a joint investigation. It further stated that "the reliability of the interim report's findings, were egregiously undermined ... The incomplete nature of the interim report means it should never have been provided to the AFL."

Confusion over the status of anti-obesity drug AOD-9604 is also cited, with the report claiming that ASADA never revealed their private view on the drug. AOD-9604 is banned by WADA. The report has called for a review of ASADA's management and organization.

Source: theage.com.au, heraldsun.com.au, news.com.au, sen.com.au (audio news report)