AFL hits Adelaide Crows with $50,000 fine following breach of COVID-19 protocols

The AFL has announced that it has slapped the Adelaide Crows with a $50,000 fine following a breach AFL COVID-19 protocols.

Players and officials from the Adelaide Crows were found to have not adhered to wearing a facemask while on a commercial flight from Sydney to Adelaide following their Sunday 30th May game.

After investigation from the AFL, the club has been fined with 100% of the sanction to be included in the Crows’ football department soft cap.

Explaining the sanction, AFL General Counsel, Andrew Dillon stated “we all have a very clear responsibility to ensure we do everything we can to best protect the health and well-being of our family, friends and everyone in the community.

“The rule here is clear and has been in place for some time and there is simply no excuse for not abiding by it.

“We will not compromise the health and well-being of the community, and remind everyone in the industry … that they have a responsibility to adhere to the rules for the safety of everyone.”

Adelaide Crows Chief Executive, Tim Silvers, said the club accepted the AFL’s penalty and owns the error “from top to bottom”, commenting “we are well aware of our responsibilities and the need to adhere to guidance and protocols put in place by the AFL and health authorities.

“We failed in this area and we would like to apologise to the other passengers on the plane.

“We were complacent and this matter must serve as a reminder to be vigilant in playing our part to try and limit the spread of COVID-19.

“It is a privilege to be playing games during these challenging times and we acknowledge the government requirement for people to wear facemasks in airports and on all domestic commercial flights.”

Adelaide Crows’ Head of Football, Adam Kelly, told ABC that the club would take the blame collectively, adding “at the end of the day, we had about 55 people in that travelling party, all of which on that flight could’ve done something about it if they had seen anyone wearing the masks incorrectly … so we share the blame together.

“I don’t think our players believe they’re above the rules.

“What they were was complacent, and at times during that flight they weren’t wearing their masks correctly for what were not permissible reasons,” he said.

The Adelaide Crows are set to travel for the first time since the incident when they take on St Kilda in Cairns on Saturday.

Image shows Adelaide Crows players not wearing facemask while on a commercial flight from Sydney to Adelaide following their Sunday 30th May match.