The following statement was released today by AFL General Manager Football Operations Adrian Anderson.

"In accordance with AFL Player Rule 17, which relates to the enforcement of the AFL Draft and Total Player Payments, I have today issued a further three charges. The Adelaide Crows Football Club, Adelaide Crows Chief Executive Officer Steven Trigg and Adelaide Crows General Manager Football Operations Phil Harper have each been charged once as follows:

Charge 

Contrary to Rule 17 of the Rules, between September 2009 and October 2012, you engaged in conduct in breach of the Total Player Payments provisions in the Rules.

"Again, in accordance with Rule 17, the Adelaide Crows FC, Mr Trigg and Mr Harper were each advised today in writing of the charges.

“These further charges will also be heard before the full AFL Commission next Monday, November 19, at 1pm at AFL House," Mr Anderson said.

For the purposes of clarity to all media, the Adelaide Crows FC now faces a total of three charges, Mr Trigg faces a total of three charges, Mr Harper faces one charge, former Adelaide Crows General Manager Football Operations John Reid faces two charges and Adelaide Crows-listed player Kurt Tippett faces a total of two charges.

The AFL wishes to re-state key parts of the AFL Player Rules, which are as follows:

  • Under Rule 17, the AFL may investigate any matters relating to conduct prejudicial to the National Draft and / or conduct in breach of the Total Player Payments provisions.
  • If after conducting an investigation, the AFL suspects that any person or Club has or may have engaged in conduct prejudicial to the National Draft and / or in conduct in breach of the Total Player Payments provisions, charges may be laid against the person or the Club.
  • The Commission has the power to impose penalties as it sees fit, including:
  1. Clubs - financial sanctions and / or eligibility to participate in up to four draft selection meetings and / or loss of the right to register any player to whom a rule breach relates;
  2. Players - financial sanctions and / or exclusion from the right to participate in the Draft process.
  3. Club Staff – financial sanctions and / or the right to perform any role for or on behalf of the Club.

It is not appropriate for the AFL to make any further comment before next week’s hearing by the full AFL Commission.

Ends

Released by:

Patrick Keane

AFL Media Manager