An MP accused the Melbourne Demons team and the AFL as a whole on Tuesday in a speech to parliament of hiding drug policy violations.
According to Andrew Wilkie, players were asked to fabricate injuries in order to evade drug tests on match day.
While acknowledging that drug use was rare, the AFL’s boss refuted the allegations.
The Australian Rules football competition is the sport with the highest national attendance figures.
Parliamentary privilege was used by Mr. Wilkie to discuss the accusations, which he claims he received from three sources. Glen Bartlett, a former Demons president, and Zeeshan, a former club physician, are they?
Parliamentary privilege was used by Mr. Wilkie to discuss the accusations, which he claims he received from three sources. These include Shaun Smith, a former player and father of current Demons player Joel Smith; Zeeshan Arain, a former club doctor; and Glen Bartlett, a former president of the Demons.
During his address, Mr. Wilkie asserted that “off-the-books” tests were carried out at a pathology clinic in Melbourne, with assistance from a former chief medical officer of the AFL.
The MP said that athletes who tested positive were “advised to lie about their condition” and that the World Anti-Doping Agency, Sports Integrity Australia (SIA), and even team coaches were not informed of the results.
According to the anti-doping code, those who test positive for illegal drugs on match days may be subject to fines and/or suspensions.
