5 Clubs hit for covid breaches

[saynta]

From the age.com.au

"Five AFL clubs hit with penalties for COVID-19 testing breaches
Scott Spits
By Scott Spits
August 16, 2022 — 7.16pm
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Five AFL clubs have been hit with sanctions by the league for breaches of COVID-19 testing requirements this season, with the Sydney Swans copping the largest penalty.

Premiership contenders Sydney were fined $100,000, with the Swans expressing regret and immediately apologising for not adhering “to these important AFL protocols”.
Five clubs have been sanctioned for COVID breaches.

Five clubs have been sanctioned for COVID breaches.Credit:Paul Rovere

While the AFL reminded clubs of their obligations during the pandemic, the audit found that although there were five clubs with varying levels of non-compliance, it did not find any club had obtained a competitive advantage.

Among the breaches committed by players or football staff, there were cases where individuals had uploaded an image of a previous RAT (rapid antigen test) undertaken by that person or someone else, the league confirmed.

Collingwood, Richmond, Brisbane Lions and St Kilda were the other clubs penalised, but the Lions and Saints were given reprimands and wholly suspended fines.

“In determining the level of sanctions the AFL took into account, amongst other things, the number of instances of non-compliance,” the league said in a statement.

“[And] the period of time over which the non-compliance arose, previous breaches of COVID-19 protocols in 2020 and 2021 as well as mitigating factors such as some technical difficulties, the timing of testing and uploading windows and prioritisation of ‘pre game’ clearance tests and prioritisation of vigilant viral symptom detection and management.”

Sydney’s $100,000 fine includes a portion ($50,000) which must be included in the club’s soft salary cap - which covers football departing spending - for 2022 or 2023. Similarly, Collingwood was fined $25,000, half of which is included in the soft cap for either year.

Furthermore, Richmond had a smaller penalty ($25,000) with half in the club’s soft cap.

In receiving reprimands, Brisbane and St Kilda have $25,000 fines hanging over their heads.

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said no individual in the game “is above adhering to the protocols and protecting the health and well-being of their fellow workmates and the wider community”.

“Across the last two and a half years our game and our industry has survived because we have collectively led the way in being disciplined and respecting the threat the pandemic presented, which in turn protected the health and safety of our people – our clubs, our players, coaches and officials, our staff and – most importantly – our families, friends, workmates and the wider community,” Dillon said.

“We established a framework in 2022 for clubs to take more responsibility in managing their own people in relation to regular COVID testing. While 13 of the clubs complied with the requirements, the five clubs failed to comply as required and the sanctions they have been handed reflect the seriousness that we take in relation to the health and safety of players, staff and the wider community.”

Sydney chief executive Tom Harley said: “On behalf of our club, I wish to apologise to the AFL and broader community. It is disappointing that our club has not fully adhered to these important AFL protocols,” Harley said.

“This behaviour falls well short of the standards we expect, and we have ensured the importance of this process is now well understood and complied with across the entire football club.”

[Vortex]

I'd be throwing the fine in the bin and dare the AFL to take the club to the court.

[IluvHarvey]

I'd be throwing the fine in the bin and dare the AFL to take the club to the court.

You're at least consistent.....

[Vortex]

I'd be throwing the fine in the bin and dare the AFL to take the club to the court.

You're at least consistent.....

Thank you, but you forgot to add...and never wrong.

[kosifantutti]

We got done for uploading old images of RATTS

[SaintPav]

[Vortex]

We got done for uploading old images of RATTS

Very good