The AFL has discovered being judge, jury and executioner in an investigation into itself is no longer acceptable, and its authority is being challenged by those at the heart of the game's latest racism furore with the Federal Government watching developments closely.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has been unable to deliver on his promise to name an investigative panel within 24 hours of "harrowing" abuse allegations by First Nations players at the Hawthorn Football Club, with no agreement in place as to what the process will involve, nor confirmation of who will oversee it.
The allegations include players being removed from their family homes, sim cards being changed in their mobile phones to prevent contact with partners and family members, and in one instance a player pressured to have his partner's pregnancy terminated.
