FORMER Richmond ruckman Justin Charles, the only AFL footballer to test positive to using anabolic steroids, has accused the League of failing to act on critical information he provided after his positive result in 1997.

In an interview with the Herald Sun, Charles, 40, claimed he gave the AFL details about how he bought the drug boldenone, but it chose not to act.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson told the newspaper it was the first time he had heard of Charles' claim, while former League CEO Wayne Jackson said he could not recall if the ex-Tiger had given the AFL that information.

Charles was suspended for 16 matches after admitting he took the drug six times over four weeks while recovering from injury in the 1997 pre-season.

Charles claimed he told the AFL where he had obtained the steroids.

"And when I told them, they said: 'OK, we'll pretend we didn't hear that'," he said.

The Herald Sun said Charles refused to reveal to the newspaper where the steroids were obtained.

Anderson said: "We have not had a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs since Justin Charles, but if we ever had any information about supplying performance-enhancing drugs that is exactly the information we would share with ASADA, police and customs.

"If Justin has any relevant information he has a responsibility to pass it on."