KEEP IT CLEAN

Players urged to practice responsible sex

PLAYERS have been urged to act responsibly with regard to their sexual relationships to help avoid contracting coronavirus.

The AFL’s return to play protocols prohibit players from having visitors in their own homes other than their partner or a friend or family member who is providing care or supmates

JAY CLARK

port for their wellbeing. The league has had to take a strong stance on the matter of players having multiple friends at their house and banning parties to help keep the game alive this season.

But the issue of sexual partners has been tricky as the game’s stars seek clarity around who they can have relations with.

The AFL’s official guidelines for the coming months stipulate only that players can see “a person they are in an intimate relationship with”.

When pressed yesterday the AFL said it would not ban one-night stands, but it is understood the league would deem a series of hook-ups out of bounds. Questions have also been raised about how any indiscretions would be policed or punished.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said last week it had created a grading system — “intentional, reckless or careless” — for any breaches of coronavirus protocols.

Players have been privately urged to avoid any irresponsible sexual behaviour that could put them and their teamat heightened risk of contracting COVID-19.

While those expectations have not been officially documented, the AFL wants players to be sensible about their activities away from the club.

The AFL has made clear players must limit their direct contact with the general public to be able to complete the season amid the health crisis.

As part of the strict measures players are banned from dining in cafes, bars or restaurants. Players cannot “let any social visitors into your home”, including the garage or yard).

Any player suspected of a breach will be investigated and face sanctions if they have acted inappropriately. The offences will be graded in-line with their seriousness.

The AFL said the strict measures and potential punishments were necessary to help keep the game afloat.

“The protocols include a process for investigating breaches, and particular sanctions for different types and levels of breach,” the guidelines state.

“Breaches of the protocols jeopardise your own health, the health of your teammates and opponents, and the health of club staff, as well as jeopardising the continuation of the competition in 2020.”

Each club has a compliance officer to discuss each player’s personal circumstances and relationship queries, while the AFL Players’ Association is also supporting its members.

The AFL is in the process of completing the first phase of its fixture taking the first five or six rounds. The mid-season and pre-finals byes have been scrapped but the league will attempt to give every team an eight-day break around “the middle of the season”.

Players will have three days off in that eight-day break. The league is trying to minimise the number of five-day breaks between games for clubs.