FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has continued deflecting questions about a report alleging he is the senior Dockers official at the centre of a harassment allegation made by a former junior staffer.
Lyon fronted media on Wednesday after being identified in a Fairfax Media report earlier this week, and again refused to confirm or deny the allegation.
It is alleged the incident happened several years ago and that a confidential payment was made to the woman, amid allegations the official made an inappropriate comment to her.
Lyon was asked about the issue at the start of his media conference but insisted on taking football questions before addressing the matter.
When the issue was raised later in the media conference, Lyon reiterated his and the club's stance that he was unable to comment due to the confidentiality clause of the AFL's Respect and Responsibility policy.
"I understand you guys have got lots of questions and want answers to different questions," Lyon said.
"I can only refer you back to this was a workplace matter that was resolved, independently investigated by the Integrity Unit of the AFL. There's been no sanction handed down.
"Critical and fundamental to the policy the AFL created is privacy for all parties concerned.
"I'm not in a position to comment and no one within the club or the AFL is any further."
Lyon wouldn't answer a range of questions, and said the case was "clearly a different situation" to that faced by Port Adelaide young gun Sam Powell-Pepper, who copped a three-game ban from the AFL for making inappropriate contact with a woman at an Adelaide nightclub.
The Dockers coach also insisted the harassment controversy engulfing the club wasn't affecting the playing group.
"You can only go on performance. Our harmony is good, our vibrancy is good," Lyon said.
"We're just focusing on what we can control, which is training well, meeting well and going to play a great team (Richmond)."
Lyon was also asked for his thoughts about Mark 'Bomber' Thompson's situation after the former Essendon premiership captain and two-time Geelong premiership coach was charged with drug trafficking and possession.
"Any thoughts I have on 'Bomber' would be innocent until proven guilty," Lyon said.
"I think that still stands in Australia - correct me if I'm wrong."
