FootyGoss :: All the Latest AFL and WAFL Breaking News

Fev gets grilled over photo

By Mr Dandalooa

An official from AFL’s office of integrity has spoken to Brisbane Lions recruit Brendan Fevola over his alleged involvement in the Lara Bingle naked photo scandal.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson interviewed the former Carlton full-forward yesterday after it was rumoured he was involved in the circulation of a nude photograph of the swimwear model and fiancé of cricket Michael Clarke.

Anderson would not speculate on the possibility of sanctioning Big Bad Fev but was reported as saying the AFL wanted to establish the precise details of the controversy and what Brisbane have done to be certain that their man has not discredited the game once more.

This latest fiasco, The Fevola Effect, erupted into a media circus after a photo of Bingle, pictured in the shower with a look surprised anger on her face, was published in Woman’s Day this week.

The photo was purportedly taken in 2006 by the former Blues star during a secret sexual liaison with Bingle.

Anderson was quoted in The Australian newspaper saying the AFL was speaking with the Lions and were speaking with Big Bad Fev and “we’ll make those enquiries before we decide on any particular action in the case”.

“Let me just reiterate, from an AFL point of view, it’s not acceptable to have photos taken of women without their consent and then circulated,” he was reported as saying.

“I think it’s important to establish the facts in this case and there have been some court proceedings foreshadowed and we’ll monitor those as well.

“But at the end of the day, the basic principle of respect towards women requires that there aren’t photos being taken without their consent that are then circulated.”

The AFL has refused to state what sanctions or actions will be applied to Fevola or any other player that is found to be involved in the photo scandal.

It’s understood the pic has been widely circulated between cricket and footy players for some time.

Fevola’s management would not comment but FootyGoss understands that Velocity Sports has engaged lawyers to protect its client’s reputation.

Bingle has reportedly gathered a team of to file court documents suing Fevola, which her manager reckons the 22-year-old had a very strong case.

Bingle was 19 at the time the photo was allegedly taken, which appears to have been taken without her consent.

Woman’s Day published the photwhich was reportedly supplied to the magazine by a freelance journalist.

The Lions have cleared Fev of any wrongdoing with the Lions coaching staff saying Fevola’s behaviour had been beyond reproach since joining the club from Carlton four months ago.

It is the first indiscretion the Lions have endured and the club’s first experience of The Fevola Effect for the off-field setback for the ex-Carlton star since he arrived in Brisbane.

The Fevola Effect first occurred in last year’s Brownlow Medal when Fev’s drunken and lewd antic caused controversy and cost him his spot at Carlton.

Voss reckons he’s been encouraged by Fev’s transition into the Brisbane Lions fold and was satisfied the full-forward had not circulated the embarrassing photo recently.

Voss said Fevola must put the controversy behind him to focus on the start of the AFL season on March 27 against the West Coast Eagles.