Watchdog wants AFL drug intel

AUSTRALIA’S new sports watchdog will urge the AFL to hand over all intelligence it has on the illicit drug use of players who fail tests.

Australian Sports AntiDoping Authority chief David Sharpe says criminals are increasingly preying on sports stars to get inside information and influence games.

Footballers taking ice, cocaine and ecstasy were vulnerable to bikies and organised criminals who either sold them the drugs or saw them taking them, Mr Sharpe said yesterday. Once compromised, the athletes could be threatened to provide information on game plans, injuries or line-ups to give criminals an advantage in the betting world.

In worst-case scenarios they could be pressured to help fix an outcome, he said.

“It’s definitely a threat. How many athletes do you see that are frequenting nightclubs and getting free drinks and getting themselves into trouble?

“Or bikies are walking up to them, taking photos with them and hanging around them.

“We are talking about criminals here. People who sell drugs like cocaine are not good people.”

Mr Sharpe said the new body called Sports Integrity Australia would not request the names of AFL players testing positive, which are closely guarded under the league’s three-strikes policy.

But the integrity body would seek any information — which might have emerged from the testing process or from other AFL integrity unit investigations — that could help uncover drug dealers.

“Every little bit of intelligence counts: the types of drugs, where they are getting them and where they are frequenting. Where they are hanging out. What sort of groups they are in,” Mr Sharpe said. “If you want to eradicate organised crime and vulnerabilities and threats, you need intelligence.”

The AFL last night declined to comment.