Richmond, North Melbourne and Carlton face fines after AFL investigates COVID breachesTom Browne and Glenn Valencich
7Sport
Published: 29/07/2020
Updated: 29 July 2020 6:29 pm
7NEWS can reveal the AFL is considering substantial fines for three clubs in connection with COVID protocol breaches in the Queensland hubs.
7NEWS understands AFL officials, including chief executive Gillon McLachlan and general counsel Andrew Dillon, have been in high-level discussions with North Melbourne, Carlton and Richmond on Wednesday.
It comes after warnings in recent days surrounding potential breaches from wives and girlfriends who are about to join the league’s Southport isolation hub.
It’s understood the Kangaroos’ breach is in a ‘grey area’, but the AFL is under tremendous pressure from Queensland to come down hard on all three Victorian clubs.
7NEWS understands the AFL is considering fines of up to $50,000, $25,000 of which may be suspended.
The AFL has been entrusted by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has given the league licence to host more than a dozen teams and continue the season in the state.
7NEWS.com.au understands the Kangaroos, Blues and Tigers were on Wednesday in discussions with the league about the size of the fine or whether the sanction should be no more than a warning.
Interstate teams, including the 10 Victorian clubs, based in Queensland’s hubs this season are living and working under heavy restrictions.
The Sydney Swans and GWS Giants will shift north to Queensland this week after Palaszczuk closed the border to greater Sydney.
With the Queensland government on edge, any breach - including by the wives and girlfriends allowed into the state on strict orders to follow the protocols - could cancel the season and cost the AFL hundreds of millions of dollars.
The AFL investigations into breaches followed several issues relating to what can and can’t be done in the Sunshine State, queries having ramped up in recent days.
Hundreds of partners and children are preparing to join players, officials and club staff in the hubs from Thursday.
They will first undergo 14 days of quarantine in the Southport transition hub, satisfying Queensland government requirements for their arrival.
However, 7NEWS can reveal the AFL has capped its financial contribution at five weeks; families who choose to stay longer must then take over the bill.
The AFL - paying up to $4 million per week to keep the season alive up north - already lost some patience after club footy managers fielded a considerable number of requests and questions from players and families.
7NEWS revealed on Monday the league had warned wives and girlfriends that the trip is not a holiday and they must adhere to the same strict biosecurity measures as the players and club staff.
A set of Queensland-based grandparents’ well-intentioned day out with a player’s child and separate inquiries about bringing a puppy up to Queensland were among the issues to force the AFL’s hand.
There is a relatively small group of partners and children who travelled with players when clubs first left Victoria at the start of July.
Some social media posts from those already in Queensland have raised eyebrows within the AFL, contributing to this week’s warnings.
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-north-melbourne-and-carlton-face-fines-after-afl-investigates-covid-breaches-c-1202348
