Glen Bartlett’s legal stoush with Demons escalates to AFL

The long-running dispute between Glen Bartlett and the Demons has taken a new twist, with the AFL now being sued by the former president of the Melbourne Football Club.

Glen Bartlett’s dispute with the Dees has taken a new twist. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith)

The AFL is being sued over the long-running Melbourne board dispute with former club president Glen Bartlett.

Top law firm Clayton Utz, for Bartlett, filed a statement of claim against the league on Thursday afternoon in an escalation of the legal stoush that has overshadowed the game for almost three seasons.

The defamation action is believed to surround statements made in relation to Bartlett’s sudden removal as president in April 2021.

Former Demons president Glen Bartlett. Picture: Adam Trafford/AFL Media

In separate proceedings, Bartlett is also suing newly installed Demons president Brad Green, vice-president David Rennick and other club directors in the Federal Court.

Bartlett had held crisis talks with AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder and ex-league boss Gillon McLachlan just weeks before being removed.

The Demons boss had been investigating concerns over the club’s off-field culture when a group of directors plotted to oust him.

The AFL said it was unaware of the development.

Originally published as Glen Bartlett’s legal stoush with Demons escalates to AFL