The AFL says it's working closely with the Gold Coast Suns, since former player Karmichael Hunt was charged with supplying drugs.
Gillon McLachlan says the three-strike policy will remain. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia
THE AFL is backing its contentious three-strikes illicit drug policy despite Brisbane Lions legend Leigh Matthews' calls for immediate bans for first-time offenders.
Former Gold Coast midfielder Karmichael Hunt will face court on cocaine supply charges relating to his time with the Suns as part of a wider sting on Australian sportsmen.
The league is cautiously optimistic the AFL is not caught up in widespread issues despite a host of rugby union and league stars being implicated in the scandal.
The AFL's integrity department has spoken to the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission and while there is scant information available is hopeful no bombshell will be forthcoming.
Gold Coast players have been asked about their potential involvement and denied any links with the players arrested in the past week.
The episode has again put the league's illicit drugs policy under siege, with critics believing players are simply not scared of recording positive strikes.
The AFL is confident it will not be caught up in the current cocaine scandal. Source: Getty Images
Matthews wants a more penal policy, tweeting that even first-time offenders should receive four-match bans.
Only one player has ever been suspended as part of the AFL's illicit drug code, with Hawthorn's Travis Tuck receiving a 12-match ban after being found by police with drugs in his possession.
"AFL three-strike drug policy is welfare based. Time for (the) game to take a stand. Even first strike should get say a four-week penalty,'' Matthews said.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said yesterday he believed in the three-strikes policy
"We have an illicit drugs policy. We work assiduously with players and clubs. By and large we have a fabulous groups of players and young men who will have their challenges," he said.
"I understand the role of the law enforcement bodies, but the vast majority of athletes in Australia are role models and fabulous professionals.
"I don't have any information that is negative or alarming (apart from Hunt's involvement) but I don't have any assurances about broader implications either.
"It is a disappointing situation for Karmichael. He has seemingly made a mistake and I don't have any information about the Suns, but he has also made a significant commitment to our industry and I won't walk away from that."
McLachlan dismissed suggestions the AFL should be embarrassed to have recruited Hunt from rugby league.
"I don't think so," McLachlan said. "People make mistakes and have issues. He is not with the Suns any more but he was with the Suns. He was an influential leader at the Suns, he made a significant contribution, seemingly he made a terrible mistake and what he has done will play out, but I am not going to be piling in with everyone else to diminish what he did."
Originally published as Three-strike policy to stay: McLachlanAnda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Three-strike policy to stay: McLachlan
Dengan url
http://caraseopemula.blogspot.com/2015/02/three-strike-policy-to-stay-mclachlan.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Three-strike policy to stay: McLachlan
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Three-strike policy to stay: McLachlan
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar