No WADA Code Breaches Found in AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy, SIA Review Reveals

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has completed a review of the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy and found no breaches of the World Anti-Doping Code. This review was initiated following allegations made by independent MP Andrew Wilkie.

Key Findings from the SIA Review

• No WADA Code Breaches: SIA found no evidence that the AFL or club doctors breached the World Anti-Doping Code. There were also no instances of clubs faking injuries to hide positive drug tests.

• Confidentiality Concerns: The confidential nature of the AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy has led to some suspicion. However, SIA confirmed the integrity of the policy.

• Recommendations: The review included eight key recommendations, such as independent oversight of the Illicit Drugs Policy and enhanced education on the policy.

AFL's Response

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon expressed confidence in the policy and welcomed SIA's findings.

“We were confident from the start that the allegations in Parliament did not reflect the true intent or operation of our Illicit Drugs Policy,” Dillon said. “We welcome the findings that show zero evidence supporting the claims.”

Dillon reiterated the AFL's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport and helping players who struggle with substance use.

“Our policy is based on health and safety, aiming to change the behaviors of those who make the mistake of using illicit drugs. It has helped many players and will continue to evolve to address this societal issue.”

SIA’s Statement

SIA emphasized the need for significant intervention in dealing with illicit drug use in sports, highlighting the risks posed to players, officials, and clubs.

“SIA’s findings showed no breaches of the World Anti-Doping Code by AFL players or support personnel,” SIA said. “However, there are integrity threats from players purchasing illicit drugs, which is an issue for all sports in Australia.”

SIA also noted that the AFL is one of the few sports to have a separate illicit drugs policy in addition to an anti-doping policy. They recommend expanding the AFL's intelligence capability to manage emerging threats.

Recommendations for Improvement

The eight recommendations from SIA include:

1. Independent Oversight: Implement independent oversight of the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy.

2. Enhanced Education: Increase education efforts on both the illicit drugs policy and the anti-doping policy.

3. Intelligence Expansion: Expand the AFL’s intelligence capabilities to better manage threats.

4. Ongoing Reviews: Continuously review and improve the policy to keep it effective.

5. Collaboration: Work with other sports, government, and law enforcement to address illicit drug use comprehensively.

The AFL has welcomed the findings and is committed to implementing the recommendations to further strengthen their Illicit Drugs Policy. This commitment ensures the health and safety of players while maintaining the integrity of the sport.