AFL CLUB Fremantle says there’s no need to reopen a sexual harassment storm engulfing the club after coach Ross Lyon was named in media reports as the man allegedly at the centre of the allegations.
Lyon allegedly made an inappropriate comment to a junior staff member at the club’s Christmas function several years ago, The Age reported on Monday. The issue became public earlier this month when it was reported a Fremantle club official made a secret payment to a former staff member to settle a sexual harassment complaint.
The official had remained anonymous until The Age named Lyon on Monday. The Dockers released a statement acknowledging the report, but chief executive Steve Rosich said the matter had already been investigated by the club and the AFL and no further action was necessary.
The matter only came to light late last year, at which point the club notified the AFL of the incident.
“This was a workplace matter that has been resolved by the club and independently investigated by the AFL’s Integrity Unit at the request of the club, the subject of the complaint, and with due respect and care for our former employee,” Rosich said in a statement.
“With regard to the requested investigation under the AFL’s Respect and Responsibility Policy, the league completed it some months ago to the AFL’s and the club’s full satisfaction and no sanction was imposed.” Last week, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the league was satisfied Fremantle had dealt with the matter correctly.
Last week, the AFL handed Port Adelaide player Sam Powell-Pepper a three-match ban after finding him guilty of being intoxicated in a public place and making inappropriate contact with a female.
It comes after AFL boss Gillon McLachlan bizarrely said the league is comfortable with an unnamed Fremantle official paying so-called hush money to an alleged victim over a sexual harassment complaint.
Fox Footy commentator Gerard Whateley labelled the AFL’s comments surrounding the situation last week “diabolical”.
“I think Gil would like that moment back,” Whateley told SEN’s Crunch Time on Saturday.
“If that’s a true reflection of the way things are, that’s diabolical from the AFL. As part of the respect and responsibilities program as it is in 2018 it cannot allow for that oldschool idea that a club with the power in such a situation could pay hush money to a woman, who made a complaint against a senior figure at the club.
“I’m ashamed to be involved in the industry if that is the position.”
McLachlan said last week the league will respect confidentiality agreements in sexual harassment cases as long as the issue has been resolved between the two parties.
Fremantle hit the headlines earlier this month when it was reported an official made a secret payment to a former junior staffer to settle an alleged sexual harassment complaint.
The AFL’s integrity unit investigated the harassment claims and found no further action was needed.
The Fremantle official at the centre of the storm has remained anonymous. The murky issue of hush payments was raised when McLachlan fronted the media in Perth on Friday.
Without wanting to comment directly on the situation at Fremantle, he said it was important for confidentiality agreements to be honoured when the circumstances warranted.
“What the core part of the policy is ... is actually resolving the issue between the complainant and the person who they are making the allegation against,” McLachlan said.
“It’s entirely appropriate and part of the policy for it to be confidential. “There’s a wide series of options available for getting resolution. There are many cases that are resolved confidentially.
“That’s one of the core tenants of the policy — where possible and where appropriate, the confidentiality remains because it’s resolving the issue at hand between the two parties rather than actually being something for public debate.
“I think it’s unfortunate when it comes out. Unfortunate for the complainant and the person who is being complained against.”
Earlier this week, Port Adelaide president David Koch slammed the AFL over its Sam Powell-Pepper investigation.
Koch said Power-Pepper was a victim of the AFL’s attempts to rebuild its reputation with women following the resignations of league executives Simon Lethlean and Richard Simkiss over their affairs with junior colleagues. Powell-Pepper was slapped with a three-match ban over his late-night drunken behaviour, which the AFL said also included engaging in “inappropriate contact with a female”.
Koch accused the AFL of “railroading a kid and trying to rebuild their reputation”.
McLachlan said there was no bad blood between the AFL and Port Adelaide over the handling of the investigation.
“I think David was emotional and clearly feels he’s protecting his player and his club,” McLachlan said.
“I completely disagree and reject some of the things he said. “Football’s a passionate, emotional business, and I don’t take any of it personally.”
— with AAP
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