Seven AFL clubs fined over player detail breaches for random drugs testing
Hawthorn were among seven AFL clubs handed fines by the league on Wednesday for failing to keep player information up to date. Clubs are required to keep the AFL updated on the whereabouts of their players at all times so that they can be subjected to random drug tests conducted by Asada.
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The Hawks were the worst offenders, sanctioned $7,500 in total for three breaches, West Coast and Geelong were sanctioned $5,000 for two breaches and Collingwood, Essendon, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda were each fined $2,500 for one breach apiece.
However, all breaches were considered administrative rather than a deliberate attempt to avoid drug testing.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said all clubs need to constantly ensure that all paperwork requirements were met at all times. “AFL players may be tested 365 days of the year for World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited drugs,” an AFL statement read.
“While no tests were missed for players from any of the clubs sanctioned, under the operation of the AFL’s code with Asada, it is the club that is sanctioned for the failure to provide complete up-to-date whereabouts information at all times for testing purposes.
“In these cases the failures were found to be administrative in nature and not intentional.”
Greater Western Sydney player Lachie Whitfield is currently under investigation by the AFL and Asada for spending three days at former development manager Craig Lambert’s house in an alleged attempt to avoid drug testing.