ADELAIDE is consulting lawyers as it deals with an AFL probe into whether the contract Kurt Tippett signed with the club in 2009 broke the competition's player rules.?

When contacted by AFL.com.au on Wednesday, shortly after the League revealed an investigation was underway, Crows chief executive Stephen Trigg said he had been advised not to comment by "legal people".?

Trade Winds - Wednesday

There has been much speculation about whether Adelaide entered into a secret agreement to smooth Tippett's path to the club of his choice if he decided to leave the club.??

And the story gained traction when The Age reported that Trigg had gone to the AFL to seek clarification on the legalities of the so-called 'gentlemen's agreement'.

The agreement was reportedly not part of the contract lodged with the AFL, which means it could potentially be viewed as draft tampering.??

A short time after Trigg spoke to AFL.com.au, the club released an official statement, which read: "The Adelaide Football Club can confirm that it is currently subject to an AFL investigation.

"The process began when the Adelaide Football Club notified the AFL of its concern relating to the matter and submitted relevant information to the League.

"The club welcomes the investigation and continues to assist the AFL with its enquiries.

"Until the matter has concluded, the club will not be available for any further comment."

The AFL had released a statement of its own on Wednesday morning.

It read: "The Australian Football League wishes to advise it has recently become aware of a matter regarding the contracting of player Kurt Tippett to the Adelaide Crows in 2009, to cover the 2010-2012 AFL seasons.??"

The AFL is still in the process of investigating this matter and how it relates to the operation of the AFL Player Rules.

"The AFL has no further update to provide at this time."??

Relations between Tippett and Crows have deteriorated since the 25-year-old key forward declared he wanted to be traded to the Sydney Swans rather than join one of the Queensland clubs.

Under AFL rules, clubs can face fines and/or draft penalties if found guilty of draft tampering or salary cap breaches, with a player also potentially facing bans if found to be a willing party.