Mr Keane will report to recently appointed Senior Investigator Gerard Ryan APM as part of the AFL’s expanded investigation team, under the oversight of AFL Manager of Competition Integrity, Brett Clothier.
Detective Senior Constable Keane has been a member of Victoria Police for the past 13 years. Prior to joining the Homicide Squad he was part of the Driver Taskforce that investigated the death of Carl Williams at Barwon Prison.
Mr Keane will also draw upon a sound knowledge of football, having previously played for the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Under 18 Competition, represented Carlton FC Reserves and coached Tyntynder FC in the Central Murray League and Wycheproof-Narraport FC in the North Central Football League.
Mr Dillon said the AFL was very pleased to have an investigator of Mr Keane’s experience join Gerry Ryan in the AFL’s strengthened investigation team.
“Mr Keane’s experience as a Victoria Police detective combined with his understanding of Australian football at both elite and community levels will serve the AFL well,” Mr Dillon said.
“The appointment of these two highly experienced investigators to join our specialist intelligence analysts underlines the commitment of the AFL to continue our proactive stance to counter the emerging integrity risks that face all sports in Australia.
“Following the establishment of the Integrity Unit in 2008, the AFL is determined to remain at the forefront of work to protect the integrity of the game and to keep our players and officials safe from the threats of doping, corruption and organised crime,” he said.
Both Mr Ryan and Mr Keane will to take up their new roles with the AFL shortly.
The AFL’s expanded Competition Integrity Department is headed by the Manager of Competition Integrity, Brett Clothier. It contains 14 full and part time staff members and its work covers the AFL Anti-Doping Code, the AFL’s gambling and anti-corruption policies, total player payments compliance, the draft and player transfer system and the AFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
In addition to new personnel, the AFL Commission has recently invested in new technological resources for the Department and approved a series of amendments to the Anti-Doping Code and AFL Rules that strengthen existing integrity safeguards.
Major changes to the Anti-Doping Code include:
- New AFL Treatment Rules govern supplementation and medical treatments for players above and beyond the requirements of the WADA Code;
- AFL Treatment Rules have established the concept of Controlled Treatments and Prohibited Treatments;
- Controlled Treatments may be used, but must be approved by the Club Doctor and recorded in a register made available to the AFL;
- Prohibited treatments may not be used under any circumstances;
- The development of a Controlled Treatments List and an AFL Prohibited Treatments List in close consultation with Clubs, AFLPA and other stakeholders, to be subject to regular review
- No substance is to be administered to any player by injection other than by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner and only to the extent it is necessary to treat a legitimate medical condition. No person may possess needles or injectables other than the Club Medical Officer;
- Clubs have obligations with respect to proper storage and inventory of treatments on their premises;
- A person who engages in conduct in relation to an AFL Prohibited Treatment, Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method that is unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interest or reputation of the AFL may be subject to a sanction.
In addition to the AFL Treatment Rules, the following changes have also been included in the Code:
- Persons must report approaches or invitations to breach the Code or any knowledge of potential breaches to the AFL; and
- AFL may conduct its own sample collection for screening/analysis for intelligence purposes
Other integrity measures include:
Registration of Club Officials – Rule 30
- The Rule relating to registration of Club Officials has been broadened to cover all employees, directors and agents of a Club and provide for more stringent requirements in relation to these matters. The AFL Commission has approved investment in an upgraded technology system to implement the enhanced registration requirements and this has been rolled out during the pre-season period.
- Rule 30 will result in the creation of minimum standards with respect to Match Day Restricted Areas. The minimum standards relate to areas of venues such as change rooms and coaches boxes and cover matters such as use of mobile phones and access.
Gambling – Rule 32
- The Gambling Rule has been extended to prohibit betting on all Australian football competitions, not just the AFL Competition;
- The Rule now also requires that a Player, Coach, assistant Coach and members of the Match Committee must at all times Perform on their Merits.
Protected Witnesses and protected Disclosures – Rule 36
- A new rule has been created enshrining protection for persons who provide information to the AFL as disclosers or witnesses with respect to possible breaches of the AFL Rules.
