AFL defends drug testing secrecy after bombshell claims revealed in parliament by MP Andrew Wilkie

The AFL says it is “unapologetic” about secret drug testing and defended players’ rights to keep their medical information private. Read the league’s full statement.

Andrew Dillon

The AFL has declared it is “unapologetic” over revelations “off the books” illicit drug tests are being conducted on players to help them evade detection on match day. The league has defended the testing program, saying it is committed to “player wellbeing and welfare”.

In a statement issued at 11.30am, the AFL also defended the secrecy of the regime, saying “doctor-patient confidentiality” must be paramount.

But the statement did not address how the previously undisclosed drug-testing program could operate alongside the so-called “two-strike” illicit drugs policy.

The statement follows bombshell revelations detailed by Federal MP Andrew Wilkie in parliament on Tuesday night where he revealed a former Melbourne Football Club doctor had sensationally admitted to conducting “off the books” tests – allegedly authorised and facilitated by the AFL – to help players evade ­detection on match days.

The doctor-turned-whistleblower says players who confessed to having taken drugs in the days before AFL games were given secret tests to ensure their systems were clear or were advised to “fake an ­injury” so they would not risk being tested and suspended for breaches of the World Anti-Doping Agency code.

AFL boss Andrew Dillon. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Mr Wilkie told parliament: “Hundreds of thousands of Australians will watch the game not knowing that the game has been secretly manipulated by the AFL and thousands of Australians will bet on that game not knowing the game has been secretly ­manipulated by the AFL. “So next time you hear a player has a hamstring injury, you could be forgiven for wondering what is really going on.

The AFL was defiant in its statement in response to Mr Wilkie allegations.

“Urine tests conducted by doctors to determine if a player has used illicit substances are part of the AFL’s Illicit Drug Policy medical model and have been for some time,” the league’s statement said.

“Doctors may use those urine tests to obtain an immediate result to determine whether any illicit substance remains in a player’s system … if the test shows a substance is still in the players system, a doctor will take steps to prevent a player from taking part in either training and/or an AFL match both for their own health and welfare and because having illicit substances in your system on match day may be deemed performance enhancing and a breach of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code (depending on the substance involved).

“While the AFL’s medical model involves a multidisciplinary healthcare management plan, the monitoring of players is highly confidential. A doctor or healthcare professional generally cannot disclose the nature of the clinical intervention or condition to others unless the player willingly consents.”

The ADL Doctors Association also released a statement on Wednesday saying club doctors’ prime responsibility was the health and wellbeing of the athlete.

Originally published as AFL defends drug testing secrecy after bombshell claims revealed in parliament by MP Andrew Wilkie