Drugs, gambling, match-fixing threats spark huge AFL crackdown on sport's integrity
Herald Sun
February 06, 2014 9:04AMA MAJOR AFL crackdown will restrict phone use and access to rooms on match day as part of tough new rules to protect the sport's integrity.
Almost a year on from the release of the Australian Crime Commission's report on organised crime and sport, the AFL has moved to protect the game with tough new rules on drugs, gambling and match-fixing.
The league has submitted new proposed minimum guidelines to AFL clubs, asking for feedback.
The new "minimum standards" for restricted match day areas such as change rooms and coaches boxes will cover matters such as "use of mobile phones and access", the AFL said.
Former Bandido enforcer and convicted drug trafficker Toby Mitchell caused a stir last year after being pictured in the Richmond change rooms with Jake King after a match.
With relation to phone use, it's believed the AFL has cited the example of the International Cricket Council, where cricketers are not allowed to take their phones into change rooms on match day.
It is understood that under the new proposal, prior to each match both clubs must submit to the AFL a list of 10 names who shall be allowed to use communication tools (such as mobile phones or iPads) throughout the course of the game.
No other official from either club involved in the match will be permitted to use such devices in the two-hour window leading up to the first bounce until the completion of the match.
However club officials - for example players and coaches - will be able to use devices like iPads during breaks, such as quarter and half time.
Coaches will be allowed to use computers throughout the match to view footage and for coaching purposes.
Victoria Police Homicide Squad detective Tony Keane - who investigated the murder of gangland boss Carl Williams at Barwon prison - has also joined the AFL's Integrity Department.
The ASADA investigation into supplement use at Essendon has sparked the introduction of tough controls including allowing the AFL to conduct its own sample collection "for screening/analysis for intelligence purposes".
Another rule will prohibit injections given by anyone other than a doctor, and limit those to injections needed for medical conditions.
"No person may possess needles or injectables other than the club medical officer,' the rule states.
Clubs will have to store all supplements and treatments properly and keep a record of them.
There will be protection for whistleblowers who report possible doping breaches.
The gambling rule has been extended to stop betting on all Australian football competitions, not just the AFL, and also targets "tanking".
"The Rule now also requires that a player, coach, assistant coach and members of the match committee must at all times perform on their merits," the AFL said.
All employees, directors and agents of a club will also have to be registered under the new system.
Mr Keane's appointment follows that of another former cop, Gerald Ryan, as a Special Investigator.
"The appointment of these two highly experienced investigators to join our specialist intelligence analysts underlines the commitment of the AFL to continue our proactive stance to counter the emerging integrity risks that face all sports in Australia," AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said today.
"Following the establishment of the Integrity Unit in 2008, the AFL is determined to remain at the forefront of work to protect the integrity of the game and to keep our players and officials safe from the threats of doping, corruption and organised crime," he said.
Last February the ACC revealed organised crime figures had infiltrated every level of sport.
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