Cousins ban: AFL statement in full
Today the AFL Commission dealt with the matter of Ben Cousins and the charge against him bringing the game into disrepute under AFL Rule 1.6.
Ben Cousins and his representatives met with the AFL Commission today over a number of hours.
After weighing the information provided by Mr Cousins and the evidence put before the hearing and submissions from the counsel assisting the Commission, the AFL Commission has decided on the following action.
1. The Commission is of the opinion that Mr Cousins has been involved in conduct which was:
a) Unbecoming; and was
b) likely to prejudice the reputation and interests of the AFL and bring the game of football into disrepute.
2. The Commission has determined that, subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, Mr Cousins’ entitlement to be a player in the AFL competition, or to be eligible to be drafted onto or included on a Club’s List, is suspended for 12 months from this day.
3a) Mr Cousins shall be entitled to apply in writing to the Commission to be eligible to be drafted onto or included on a Club’s list in the draft for the 2009 football season.
b) In determining whether Mr Cousins’ application is to be granted, the Commission will consider the following:
i) the extent to which Mr Cousins has consulted and cooperated with, and acted in accordance with the advice of, one or more medical experts nominated by the Chief Executive Officer of the AFL for the purpose of this sub-paragraph to advise in relation to a drug rehabilitation program and drug testing protocols that are appropriate for Mr Cousins;
ii) whether there has been a relapse by Mr Cousins to drug or substance abuse and the likelihood of any such relapse in the future; and
iii) whether the lifting of the suspension is in the best interests of Mr Cousins and/or of the AFL.
c) If the Commission determines to grant the application it may do so without conditions, or on such conditions as in the opinion of the Commission is in the best interests of Mr Cousins and/or of the AFL.
d) If the Commission determines not to grant the application Mr Cousins shall not be eligible to play as a player in the AFL competition or to be eligible to be drafted onto or included on a club’s list until one month prior to the draft for the 2010 football season.
4. If and to the extent that this Resolution is inconsistent with any provision of the AFL Player Rules or the AFL Player Regulations the provisions of this Resolution shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.
It was a sad day today - a day when the AFL Commission was called on to exercise its responsibility to our players, our supporters, our clubs and the general public.
We know that players are under vastly different pressures than they were 20 years ago when I played. There is increased scrutiny and recognition.
However, all players also benefit from the increased success of the game.
It is a privilege to play at the highest level and players must take responsibility for their actions and understand the expectations of AFL supporters and the general community.
People will form their own judgements about the action of the AFL Commission today but I want to send a strong message to the families of our 600,000 participants and the millions of supporters who love Australian Football.
Our message is simple. The AFL Commission is committed to tackling the difficult issues that confront our game.
Two thousand and seven was a great year for football on the field and also for the growth of our game. But in 2007, as it does every year, the AFL also had to deal with a number of issues, including the difficult and complex matter before us today.
I want to reassure our supporters that the AFL is tackling these issues through developing a stronger player behaviour code, developing a responsible alcohol policy for clubs and examining how we can improve and enhance our illicit drug policy to confront an issue that is also faced by many thousands of Australian families.
However, if anyone thinks those rules will eradicate all incidents of player misbehaviour or that the AFL alone can solve any of these significant social issues - then they are mistaken.
The AFL - as the governing body - has a responsibility to educate and influence players and clubs, to ensure a consistent approach to player behaviour, to strengthen our clubs’ capacity to make the right decisions on behavioural issues and - where necessary to take action.
But whatever rules are in place, it is ultimately - ultimately – still the responsibility of each individual to make the right choice, and to do the right thing.
The vast majority of the 708 players on AFL lists this year do exactly that. They do the right thing and they make a positive contribution to the community. They lead by example.
We have a responsibility to those players and to continue to act in the best interests of the competition and the millions of supporters who follow our game.
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