Lyon accused of secret payment to woman

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has been accused of making a secret payment to a woman who accused him of sexual harassment.

Two sources close to the junior female staffer have confirmed to News Corp that she accused Lyon of making an in- appropriate comment about her appearance.

It is understood the incident allegedly happened at a Fremantle bar several years ago but the woman only made an official complaint late last year.

A five-figure payment is believed to have been made to the woman, who signed a nondisclosure agreement in December.

News Corp is not suggesting the allegations are accurate — only that they were made.

The AFL integrity unit investigated the allegations after being notified by Fremantle in December.

Fremantle said in a statement yesterday: “We want to reiterate what we have said previously on a number of occasions and which has been reinforced by the AFL.

“This was a workplace matter that has been resolved by the club and independently in- vestigated 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.

“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.” The woman left the club after the alleged incident.