Richmond star Jake King gave bandidos boss Toby Mitchell VIP entry into MCG rooms Jon Ralph
From: Herald Sun
September 13, 2013 RICHMOND has told firebrand forward Jake King to end an association with Bandidos boss Toby Mitchell.
King invited Mitchell into the Richmond rooms at the MCG while sidelined with injury after the Round 20 win over Brisbane.
The club was quickly made aware of the bikie enforcer's presence on the day and later told King the association was totally unacceptable.
Richmond has also told its entire playing list how important it is that they do not associate with criminals in any way.
Club officials have played down the link between Mitchell and King, saying they are casual acquaintances rather than close friends.
But given the AFL's determination to crack down on organised crime in sport, Richmond has acted swiftly.
Mitchell has twice survived attempts on his life.
He was shot in March and also five times in November 2011 outside a Brunswick gym.
A Tigers spokesman said yesterday King now knew his responsibilities.
"Jake has been counselled specifically on that issue and our playing group are counselled more broadly about off-field issues, as would be the case at all clubs,'' he said.
The AFL is particularly sensitive about any links to criminals given the Australian Crime Commission's February report warning of the potential danger of criminals consorting with elite athletes given "relationships … can be exploited by criminals to corrupt the athlete''.
"Overseas experience has also demonstrated that criminal identities and groups will invest years developing such relationships, with the ultimate aim of having the athlete participate in activities such as match-fixing,'' it stated.
There is no accusation of any links of any criminal nature between Mitchell and King, but it illustrates why Richmond was proactive in warning its players.
Richmond says there is no connection between Mitchell and midfielder Dustin Martin's handcuffs salute in the loss to Carlton.
He received a suspended $2000 fine from the AFL, which is cracking down on those gestures given the sensitivities involved.
King, affectionately dubbed "The Pushup King'', has a reputation as one of footy's more colourful characters.
In August 2011 he was warned not to breach an intervention order after allegedly threatening a man, but was not charged with any offence.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-star-jake-king-gave-bandidos-boss-toby-mitchell-vip-entry-into-mcg-rooms/story-fnelctok-1226718073333