100 AFL players ‘have secret immunity’ from being busted for drugs – as MP who made explosive cover-up allegations blasts Albo’s government for silencing him

Around 100 AFL players have reportedly been granted secret immunity from the sport’s three-strike policy – as the MP who made the allegations slammed the federal government for silencing him.

On Tuesday, independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie told parliament about allegations against the Melbourne Demons club doctor Zeeshan Arain and football club president Glen Bartlett.

Players who tested positive for drugs would fake injuries and withdraw from games to avoid match-day tests, Mr Wilkie revealed.

He claimed hundreds of thousands of Australians would watch games without knowing they had been ‘secretly manipulated’ by the AFL.

The AFL declared it was unapologetic about the scheme, explaining the league is committed to ‘player wellbeing and welfare’ and said that by players not taking the field meant they weren’t breaking doping rules.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said ‘we’re talking about a handful of players’, but footy insiders have told the Herald Sun that it could be far larger. 

Sources said clubs are actively identifying users of cocaine and placing them in ‘the medical model’, which means they don’t receive strikes.

‘Even the cleanest clubs would have about five players on this so-called rehabilitation program,’ one insider said.

‘Some would have far more. Across 18 clubs we are talking maybe 100 players.’

Another source said the program was a ‘a mechanism to cover up drug use’.

Wilkie urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene and ‘do everything he can to restore and protect the reputation of our beloved game’.

However, Albanese rebuffed the calls during Question Time on Wednesday.

‘These allegations – I’m not aware of whether they are correct or not,’ he said.

‘I have a big job.

‘On the job description isn’t the control of the Australian Football League.’

Mr Wilkie also accused the Labor government of preventing him from tabling evidence of misconduct among AFL staff and executives after his move was voted down.

He also questioned if the government had been involved in a ‘massive misstep or a cover up’.

The prime minister said Mr Wilkie should have gone to the person at the dispatch box in the chamber if he was serious about tabling the documents.

Mr Albanese said he was always open to discussion with other members.

‘Sport Integrity Australia is aware of the issue and they have begun their assessment,’ he said.

‘I’m sure that (Mr Wilkie) will forward any documentation to the appropriate body.’