Disgusted ex-police commissioner says AFL bosses must resign over cover-up scandal: 'They're encouraging drug use'

  • Sensational allegations tabled in parliament on Tuesday 
  • League accused of hiding players' positive test results 
  • Clubs create fake injuries to hide drug use, it is alleged 

Former Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Kel Glare has called on every AFL executive who knew about the league's secret drug-testing regime to resign over the 'disgraceful' scandal.

Glare - who was the state's top cop for five years - said the league has been making it easy for footy stars to take drugs after sensational allegations against the league and its clubs were tabled in federal parliament.

On Tuesday night, MP Andrew Wilkie revealed whistleblowers including a former president and club doctor from the Melbourne Demons alleged the AFL orchestrates secret off-the-books drugs tests that keep stars from facing punishment.

Kel Glare - who spent five years as Victoria's top cop - has demanded all AFL bosses who knew about the secret drug-testing system resign immediately

Kel Glare - who spent five years as Victoria's top cop - has demanded all AFL bosses who knew about the secret drug-testing system resign immediately

Glare believes executives like recently departed CEO Gillon McLachlan (pictured) have to go because they presided over a system that 'encourages drug use'

Glare believes executives like recently departed CEO Gillon McLachlan (pictured) have to go because they presided over a system that 'encourages drug use'

Wilkie alleged widespread drug abuse among footy stars and claimed fake injuries are created so drug-taking players can't be tested for illicit substances on game day, when positive results would see them face long bans from the sport.


Now Glare has demanded that all the footy bosses who knew of the off-the-books testing scheme stand down from their posts.

'It's deplorable and disgraceful conduct. They [the AFL] are facilitating the use of illicit drugs,' he told the Herald Sun.

'By not reporting those using drugs it is encouraging drug use because these footballers aren't going to stop unless there is some reason for them to do so.

'The leadership should all resign.

'Anyone at the AFL who had knowledge of this and did nothing should resign - it would be the only honourable thing to do.'

If Glare had his way, AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder (left) and current CEO Andrew Dillon (left) would fall on their swords

If Glare had his way, AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder (left) and current CEO Andrew Dillon (left) would fall on their swords

His resignation call was also taken up by AFL Fans' Association founder Brian Clarke, who called on AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder to step down.

Goyder and former AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan were mentioned in Wilkie's address to parliament, in which he accused league executives of trying to cover up alleged drug use by Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin.

Wilkie told parliament that former Demons president Glen Bartlett told Goyder and McLachlan 'that he planned to tackle cocaine abuse at his club at every level, including at the executive level' but the pair discussed the matter in a 'cavalier' way and nothing was done.   

Federal MP Andrew Wilkie (pictured) tabled sensational allegations in federal parliament

Federal MP Andrew Wilkie (pictured) tabled sensational allegations in federal parliament

Wilkie quoted whistleblowers who claimed players are told to fake injuries so they won't be caught with drugs in their system on game days (stock image)

Wilkie quoted whistleblowers who claimed players are told to fake injuries so they won't be caught with drugs in their system on game days (stock image) 

In response to the broader allegations surrounding his football club and the AFL in general, Goodwin insisted he had no knowledge of any potential scandal.

He said the allegations were 'news to me' and said he had 'no line of sight' on the alleged clandestine tests facilitated by the league.

The AFL's current drugs policy has been in place since 2005.

After the scandal broke, the league said it remained 'unapologetic' about the off-the-books scheme, which it maintains is in place to protect 'the medical interests and welfare of players'.