The cocaine scandal at Australian Football League side Gold Coast may "force a strengthening of the AFL’s controversial three-strikes illicit drugs code," according to Smith & Denham of THE AUSTRALIAN. In the future, players may "face automatic suspensions for a second positive test." The current code "does not penalise players in any way until a third strike." Under the proposed changes to the drugs code, which have not yet been approved by the AFL Players Association, a second adverse finding would "result in a hefty ban, as well as continued education, counselling and rehabilitation for the player." The stronger stance is "supported by a majority" of club CEOs. AFL club CEOs have been "approached for their views as an AFL working party looks at ways of improving and toughening the present illicit drugs policy," which was introduced in '05. The working party includes league officials, five club CEOs and AFLPA representation. Any recommendations for change must be "ratified by the players’ union, which in a world first has participated voluntarily in the past on the basis of confidentiality." AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh said that players had "agreed to hair testing in-season for statistical purposes" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/1).
Source: THE AUSTRALIAN
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In Melbourne, Jon Pierik reported the AFLPA is "preparing for an emergency meeting" with the Gold Coast Suns players on Thursday as it seeks a way of dealing with the cocaine scandal. Fairfax Media was contacted on Tuesday by a member of the public "offering to sell four photographs of one high-profile Suns player using drugs in a hotel room in Melbourne." The man asked for A$15,000 ($11,560) for the photographs -- which Fairfax Media declined. Suns chiefs have "turned to one-on-one interviews with players in a bid to extract a truthful explanation of the drug-fuelled events" that have brought the AFL's A$100M ($77.1M) expansion club "to its knees" (THE AGE, 6/30).
