by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Ben Cousins faced the AFL Commission in December for a hearing regarding his behavior and his future. The Commission found him guilty of conduct unbecoming and bringing the game into disrepute. For his transgressions, he has officially been banned from the AFL for one year. However, the Commission did not prohibit him from playing in other competitions. Should he decide to return to AFL football in 2009, it would be via the draft and only upon the league's satisfaction that his rehabilitation is successful. The Eagles officially delisted Cousins in late November just ahead of the National Draft.
The club itself has also been the subject of an investigation launched by the AFL. The investigation, the result of the varied off-field indiscretions in 2007, is being conducted by retired Victorian Supreme Court judge William Gillard. GIllard was appointed by the AFL to speak club players and officials regarding the club's culture and assess what the club is doing to change.
The WA Football Commission also met to discuss Cousins and declared he would be welcome to play but only if he could provide medical evidence that he had overcome his drug addiction. At least three WA clubs, including East Fremantle, have expressed interest in signing Cousins.
Source: Syndey Morning Herald; aflcom.au
Article last changed on Saturday, February 02, 2008 - 3:23 PM EST
