Andrew Demetriou slams Tiger's changeroom invite to Bandido bikie
AFL CHIEF executive Andrew Demetriou says a Richmond player's decision to invite a senior bikie figure into the club's dressing rooms was "pretty stupid".
Demetriou said he would personally contact Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale club on Friday, after it emerged Bandidos leader Toby Mitchell had visited the rooms with an injured Jake King after the side's round 20 win over the Brisbane Lions.
He said the League was concerned people of certain backgrounds had the potential to "infiltrate" the code.
"We know after the past 12 months, from our code's perspective, it's not what we want," Demetriou told reporters in Melbourne.
"I'm surprised given the level of awareness, the efforts we've gone to with each club, to explain the importance of this particular issue … in fact I think it's pretty stupid."
Richmond has reportedly warned King he should cut ties with Mitchell.
It comes as the AFL ramps up efforts to protect the integrity of the code.
The League is set to seek greater powers from the Federal and State Governments to allow access to information collected by police and other authorities.
"People want to watch a game that's pure, and the potential or the threat of any match fixing or information sharing has the potential to erode people's confidence in the game," Demetriou said.
"We've taken every measure possible to mitigate that risk.
"At this point in time, both we and the police are frustrated by that inability to do that."
Meanwhile, the AFL has refuted a report claiming it is close to settling out of court with Essendon doctor Bruce Reid.
Reid has launched Supreme Court action against the League, claiming the Commission is biased and not in a position to hear charges against him relating to the supplements scandal.
On Friday The Australian reported an AFL offer had been in the hands of Dr Reid's lawyers since Wednesday.
But Demetriou said it wasn't the case.
"I think that's complete garbage," he said.
The matter is due back in court next week.
Essendon had no comment when contacted by AFL.com.au.
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