An investigation by Sport Integrity Australia has cleared the AFL of any breaches of the WADA code after claims made in federal parliament alleged clubs were conducting off the books drugs tests finding no evidence to suggest players feigned injuries to avoid match-day testing.
But in its findings SIA said the confidentiality provision which AFL boss Andrew Dillon defended and which is key to players signing up to the league’s policy had created a “degree of suspicion”.
The probe was launched after federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege that AFL players were known to have used illicit drugs were being left out of games, under the guise of injuries, to protect them from testing positive on match day.
Those positive tests would have been in breach of the WADA code governing performance-enhancing drugs and possibly incur lengthy suspensions.
but in a statement confirming its investigation had concluded, SIA said there were “no irreconcilable inconsistencies between the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy and the National Anti-Doping Scheme”.
“The assessment made a range of key recommendations, but significantly identified there were no breaches of the World Anti-Doping Code through any Anti-Doping Rule Violation by AFL players or support personnel or that injuries were feigned to cover up for positive drug testing during the week by the AFL or club doctors,” the statement said.
“SIA concluded that there were no irreconcilable inconsistencies between the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy and the National Anti-Doping Scheme, but recommended the AFL formalise a framework to maximise opportunities arising from the implementation of both policies.
“The confidential nature of the medical model (between doctor and player) prevented the AFL from sharing information publicly, thus creating a degree of suspicion.”
The SIA report also called for a number of changes including things like independent oversight of the Illicit Drugs Policy and continued expansion of the intelligence capability in the AFL’s Integrity Unit.
said the issue of illicit drug use presented a significant challenge to Australian sport, not just the AFL.
“All Australian sport has reached a crossroad in dealing with illicit drug use, player mental health and wellbeing and criminal infiltration of sport. Significant intervention is required immediately to address the illicit drug culture in sport and the increasing and unacceptable risks posed to players, officials, clubs, and sporting codes,” outgoing Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe said.
“Without significant cultural intervention to address the illicit drug culture in all sports, Sport Integrity Australia is concerned about the dire impacts to player’s health and wellbeing, and the potential to bring a code or team into disrepute through integrity threats.”
In it’s response, the AFL welcomed the finding with Dillon conceding that there is “room for improvement” in the league’s policy which will be refined.
“We said from the outset that the allegations raised in parliament did not reflect either the intent or operation of the Illicit Drug policy and we welcome the findings of Australia’s sport integrity agency that found zero evidence to support the claims.” AFL CEO Dillon said.
“We take the integrity of our sport extremely seriously. It is important to reinforce the point that we do not in any way condone illicit drug use but we accept that we have a responsibility as a code to try and change behaviours of those that do make the mistake of trying/using illicit drugs.”
