Bombers Lose CEO

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Although the report on Essendon and its supplements program did not call for any one to resign or be dismissed, CEO Ian Robson tendered his resignation just days before Round Nine. When the story first broke in February, Robson offered to step aside but the club refused. However, with the club at the point of some stability, Robson said it was time and the club accepted his decision.

At a press conference, Robson said he accepted that it had been his responsibility to know what was going on and act, but acknowledged that he failed to do so. He described the role of a CEO as the "front line of accountability" and that there were no excuses for not knowing. He said that the club administration had let down the players and their families and that the unfolding events should serve as a turning point in sport, not just football. He also commented on recent criticism of ASADA, saying "If you care about sport then respect the people that are trying to investigate what happened. If there is a line in the sand, I want to be on the side that puts first the health and safety of the players and the underlying fairness of the game." He concluded by saying he had hoped his commitment to the club and doing the right thing would help make amends for the failings of 2012 and vowed to use the experiences to make himself a better administrator.

Essendon chairman David Evans said he had "nothing but the highest praise" for Robson's role in bringing stability to the club, but agreed with Robson's assessment that the proverbial buck stopped with the CEO. Evans also said he hoped that Robson would be recognized for all the good he had done in his time at the club. Robson was in his fourth year as CEO with the Bombers after five years as Hawthorn's CEO. Prior to that, he had held a number of positions in Australia and overseas including serving as the head of SportScotland, the national body for Scottish sports.

Source: afl.com.au