Wayne Carey stood down over white powder at casino

The AFL great claims the bag which fell from his pocket at a casino was ‘crushed up anti-inflammatory drugs’ for pain.

Wayne Carey was booted from Crown’s Perth complex last Thursday night. Picture: Getty Images

AFL great Wayne Carey has been stood down from high-profile footy commentating roles on Seven and Triple M after a bag of white powder fell from his pocket on to a Crown gaming table.

The TV and radio networks launched separate investigations on Monday evening after it was revealed the 51-year-old was booted from Crown’s Perth complex last Thursday night.

The Age newspaper, which publishes a weekly column by the double premiership star, said the newspaper was “aware of the story and would look into the matter over the next few days”.

The former North Melbourne captain, who was banished from the club 20 years ago over an affair with the partner of a team mate, has also been banned from Crown casino premises following the incident.

“Triple M Footy commentator Wayne Carey and Triple M have agreed for Wayne to be relieved of his on-air duties pending an internal investigation … following an incident at Crown Burswood in Perth,” a radio station spokesperson told The Australian.

After initially declining to comment, Carey later said on Monday night: “It was not an illegal substance, it was offered to security. Security didn’t take it. They just said it’s not a great look, I understood that, and we left without incident.” He inisisted the bag contained “crushed up anti-inflammatory drugs” he used for pain.

Seven’s Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin said he had ordered an investigation after speaking to Carey. “I have spoken to Wayne and he has agreed to stand aside, pending an investi­gation,” he said.

The Herald Sun said the bag of white powder fell from Carey’s pocket while he was gambling last Thursday. Crown staff immediately called security, who asked him to leave the complex.

Security footage captured the incident and Carey, in Perth to commentate the Fremantle v Western Bulldogs final on Saturday night, has been slapped with a two-year ban on entering any Crown complex in Australia, the Herald Sun reported.

The seven-time All Australian made headlines last month after a verbal altercation with ex-teammate Anthony Stevens at a premiership reunion.The flare-up came almost 20 years after it was revealed Carey had an affair with Stevens’ former wife Kellie in 2002.