Former AFL star Wayne Carey weighs up legal action over white powder incident

The former AFL star is battling ‘significant pain’ due to injury, and ‘assumptions were made’ about his white powder incident, says Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.

Wayne Carey will address a men’s mental health event and has told organisers he will talk about what took place last Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

Former AFL star Wayne Carey is threatening to mount a disability discrimination lawsuit against Perth’s Crown Casino after his ejection from its premises last Thursday.

The incident happened when a bag of white powder in a zip-lock bag fell from his pocket in a gaming room.

Carey is planning to speak publicly for the first time about the incident when he returns to his hometown of Wagga Wagga on Thursday.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers released a statement on Wednesday saying the dual premiership captain had employed Josh Bornstein “to investigate a possible disability discrimination claim” against the casino, The Herald Sun reports.

“Mr Carey was ejected after casino authorities saw a bag containing a white substance and despite Mr Carey’s denial made an incorrect assumption that the bag contained an illegal drug,” the statement said.

“Mr Carey is prescribed anti-inflammatories and painkilling medicine to help manage the significant pain caused by debilitating football injuries – including a shoulder that needs replacing and a neck injury that requires three discs to be replaced. Mr Carey is distressed that the casino actions have led to media attention leaving the public to also wrongly assume the bag contained an illegal drug. He has also indicated that he would welcome a police investigation.”

Mr Bornstein said: “We are considering whether Crown Casino unlawfully discriminated against Mr Carey by excluding him from its premises as a result of a pre-existing disability.”

Public statement

Carey, 51, will address a men’s mental health event and has told organisers he will talk about what took place at the casino.

Fallen crown: The troubled life of The King Wayne Carey

The Good Blokes Society event, to be held at Wagga Wagga RSL, is open to the public and will feature Carey as the guest speaker.

The group’s founder, Shaun Wallis, said the North Melbourne great will discuss what unfolded in Perth and he will also be offered support by the network, which assists men “battling their demons”.

“Wayne was invited to come as a guest and he jumped at it, there’s no doubt Wayne will address it (the incident),” Mr Wallis told The Australian.

“I’ve personally had a couple of conversations with him and he’s working through the alleged incident.

“We’re there to support Wayne as much as he needs support.”

Wayne Carey, who works as a commentator for Channel 7, has stepped down from his role and an internal investigation is being launched into the matter. Picture: Getty Images

Promotional material for the event states, “the highlight of the night a nothing-is-off-limits interview with an AFL great – Wayne Carey”.

Tickets to the event have sold out and about 110 people will be in attendance.

Carey will depart Melbourne on Thursday to attend the function which starts at 6.30pm AEST.

The Herald Sun reported that a bag of white powder fell out of Carey’s pocket at the Perth casino and he has since been given a two-year ban from entering any Australian Crown casino.

Security footage captured the incident and a croupier raised the alarm after the bag fell on to the gaming table, but Carey has insisted he was not carrying any illicit substances and it was an anti-inflammatory drug to help manage pain.

The matter was not reported to police and the substance was not seized.

He was in Perth in his role for Channel 7 to cover the Fremantle and Western Bulldogs match that was held at Perth Stadium on Saturday night.

Carey was also forced to relocate to alternative accommodation after Crown management realised he was staying at Crown Promenade.

This prevents the dual premiership captain and seven-time All Australian player from attending Seven’s telecast of the Brownlow Medal count later this year, which is being held at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

In a radio interview on Perth’s 6PR on Wednesday, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch told broadcaster Gareth Parker that police were investigating the matter but they remained on “the back foot”.

“If there was any suspicion by any person that there were drugs possessed … I would have expected a phone call to police to manage the matter, if it was in fact drugs … we don’t have the drugs in our possession and neither do Crown,” he said.

Tickets to the event at Wagga Wagga RSL where Carey will speak were selling for up to $250 each and Mr Wallis said it would be the “perfect” forum for Carey to discuss any issues he may have.

“If Wayne has any issues, any demons, the Good Blokes Society is the perfect community and the community events we host, we promote storytelling and conversation and to put your hand up if you’ve got issues or problems,” he said.

“We are a support group, so we offer whatever we need to offer, if that’s a handshake or a cuddle or an ear to listen.”

Carey, who works as a commentator for Channel 7, has stepped down from his role and an internal investigation is being launched into the matter.

He has also been “relieved of his on-air duties” for Triple M where he works as an AFL commentator and his employer will wait until internal and external investigations are complete.

Carey has a weekly column published in The Age newspaper and editor Gay Alcorn said he would continue his duties for the publisher.

“He denies the suggestion he was carrying an illegal substance and investigations are ongoing,” she said.

“We will closely monitor the situation.”

Carey’s manager has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Former AFL star Wayne Carey weighs up legal action over white powder incident