AFL puts Eagles on notice

Statement by Mike Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the AFL Commission, following the special meeting of the AFL Commission with the West Coast Eagles.

THE AFL Commission met with the Eagles at our request today to deal with issues relating to off-field player behaviour by the Eagles.

The AFL has had a constructive meeting with the Eagles and they outlined the initiatives that they are undertaking and have been undertaking since they became aware of player behaviour problems within the club.

Firstly the AFL accepts the Eagles apology on behalf of the Commission and the football community.

The Commission has agreed with the Eagles the following:

- That Ben Cousins may only return to the game after satisfying the Eagles and subsequently the AFL that he has complied with all the conditions that will be imposed on him.

- That Adam Selwood will meet with relevant experts to better understand the impact of his comments on the broader community.

The Eagles have been put on notice that if they appear before the Commission again they will be subject to the full force of the 1.6 rule of conduct unbecoming which can lead to a fine, suspension, loss of draft picks or premiership points.

Everybody associated with the AFL – clubs, players, administrators all have an enormous responsibility to the community.

There have been a number of examples of poor player behaviour in recent years. And we recognise that our supporters have been disappointed with many of those incidents.

We acknowledge that disappointment. We want to make it clear that the AFL Commission shares that disappointment.

That is why the AFL Commission took the unusual step of demanding that the West Coast Eagles leadership meet with us today.

The AFL Commission is putting all clubs and all players on notice. Poor player behaviour is unacceptable.

We have asked the AFL Executive to bring back to the Commission for further consideration draft rules to crack down on future examples of poor player behaviour or behaviour that involves serious offences.

We acknowledge that in having 700 players across the system there will be some who make bad choices. But players need to understand that those poor choices have consequences.

We want to tell the football community and the wider Australian community that the AFL takes very seriously its role as a community leader.

We have a great game and a privileged position as the number one sport in this country. We have done that by taking a community leadership role in tackling tough issues.

We want everyone involved in our game to understand that if you play our game you accept the responsibilities that go with it.