Steele Sidebottom has been hit with four-week suspension from the AFL for breaking COVID-19 protocols ... Pies star suspended for four weeks after breaching COVID-19 rules.
Family and friends of players may visit for welfare reasons. 7NEWS was given an exclusive look at the document which outlines the rules footy players will live by in 2020. Updated July 29, 2020 — 11.02pm first published at 7.09pm Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Richmond and Carlton are set to be handed hefty fines by the AFL for COVID-19 breaches in Queensland. Consistent with the decision yesterday in relation to State League football and the national and state talent programs, all AFL and AFL State association managed or operated leagues along with the NAB AFL Auskick Centres programs currently operating or set to begin, will be postponed until 31st May 2020. The Australian Football League (AFL) said on Wednesday it will move all 10 teams based in Victoria state to the northeast of the country to keep the season alive amid a growing outbreak of COVID … So I think the AFL … 04/23/2020 AFL 20-48.1 (Supersedes AFL 20-48) All Facilities Transfers to Low Acuity Alternate Care Sites During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic 05/05/2020 AFL 20-49 All Facilities Suspension of Professional Certification Requirements for Home Health Aides (HHAs) 04/24/2020 AFL 20-50.1 (Supersedes AFL 20-50) Some of the rules include only leaving home if absolutely necessary, including to buy food, for welfare reasons or for essential exercise – which does not include golf. The partners of the players were all seated in a private corporate area, to ensure there was no contact with the public.The AFL is investigating all three incidents as breaches of league rules only and not state laws.The AFL is desperate to ensure that no one from the league steps outside the guidelines they established in consultation with the Queensland government to allow the competition to continue in the state.Peter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age covering AFL, horse racing and other sports.The AFL, which is footing the bill for players and their families to stay in Queensland, has also been annoyed at the attitude of some individuals within clubs who have made unreasonable requests or claimed unnecessary expenses.The club believes they have evidence of permission being granted by league officials.In a separate matter, North Melbourne believed it had permission from the AFL to send a busload of wives and girlfriends to the Gabba last Saturday to watch their partners play against Carlton.Richmond and Carlton are set to be handed hefty fines by the AFL for COVID-19 breaches in Queensland.The relocation of the families of players, broadcasters and umpires as well as key staff from AFL clubs has made the AFL nervous and they have told clubs they will have little tolerance if anyone flouts the rules.It’s believed the player’s young children were taken by their grandparents to Seaworld and were then returned to the hub.Meanwhile, Carlton is being investigated after it was alleged the grandparents of a senior player’s children visited an amusement park on the Gold Coast.The league has had little choice but to allow players to have families join them with the Players Association making it a key condition of the extended relocation outside Victoria, but they have had to continually emphasise the importance of sticking to protocols.The details surrounding both situations are still being reviewed by league investigators but Carlton and Richmond are expected to be handed fines in the tens of thousands of dollars.Tensions are rising in the state after Queensland announced on Wednesday that it had recorded two positive tests from people who had arrived from Victoria via NSW but not stayed in quarantine.When social media photos and footage began to appear, league representatives then contacted the club to ask why wives and girlfriends had been allowed to attend the game.The competition is dependent on the hub system working well and ensuring Queenslanders remain supportive of hosting such an influx of people south of the border, with the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing on Wednesday that people from Greater Sydney were banned from entering the state after 1am on Saturday.The alleged breaches come as close to 400 people prepare to fly to Queensland to enter quarantine hubs on Thursday under the AFL banner.Sam McClure is a sport reporter for The Age and winner of 'best news reporter' at the AFL Media Association awards.They have also had to remind players and their partners that anyone who complains on social media about aspects of their stay would be jeopardising their chances of remaining in hubs.
AFL investigating COVID breaches as families prepare to fly to Queensland ... Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. AFL Live Pass is required to view AFL.TV & Match Replays.