PEACE talks between the AFL, the AFL Players Association and Channel Seven broke down late yesterday over the league and union's insistence that the television network permanently suppress the contents of a controversial news report.
AFL chief Andrew Demetriou, the head of the players' association Brendon Gale and their legal advisers also sought an apology from the network over its decision to broadcast the personal records of two Melbourne-based players receiving treatment for drug use.
The Age understands that after a series of meetings yesterday, Channel Seven was prepared to pledge that it would not name the players identified in the documents the network bought and that it would issue a statement commending the AFL for its attempt at tackling illicit drug use — players voluntarily submit to testing beyond the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
But the network refused the request for a permanent suppression of all information contained in the report. It is understood the network believes such a guarantee would set a dangerous precedent.
Channel Seven will this morning proceed with its appeal against the continued court injunction that is suppressing the identity of the Melbourne-based club and the names of two players who had been receiving treatment at Ivanhoe Rehabilitation Clinic for drug use.
It's understood that News Ltd was likely to withdraw its appeal against the injunction. The hearing will begin at 10.30am.
In other developments yesterday:
■Dylan Howard, who presented Channel Seven's report last Friday, was pulled from 3AW's commentary team that will cover the Richmond-St Kilda game this weekend after both clubs indicated their players would be reluctant to be interviewed by him.
■The AFL would not say when, or if, Howard would be put back on the league's national database and begin receiving notification of AFL announcements or events.
■Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said that, regardless of the court injunction, in football circles the identities of the players were "an open secret". "I absolutely know who the two players are," he said.
■Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon said the two players at the centre of the drug controversy could be questioned by police. "We will look at the material we have and then determine whether there should be any steps taken," she said.
Nixon added that Channel Seven could also come under police scrutiny for what Nixon described as a "disgraceful" and "appalling" decision to broadcast the private medical records. "There is a possibility (of charges)," she said.
Nixon also confirmed that police had investigated a player from the same club at the centre of the latest controversy on suspicion of drug trafficking earlier this year, but said the allegations were dismissed.
AFL players yesterday continued to boycott Channel Seven.
Sydney's co-captain Leo Barry was strident in his refusal to answer questions from a reporter at a news conference. "I'm not answering your question, mate. Not from Channel Seven, no," he said.
Carlton's Matthew Lappin said to another Channel Seven reporter: "I'd love to answer your question, but I'm toeing the line along with the rest of the boys in the AFL."
Melbourne's Russell Robertson also refused to answer a question from a Channel Seven journalist while Bulldog Chris Grant and Port Adelaide's Darryl Wakelin co-operated with the network.
