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AFLPA goes in to bat for Lovett

By Mr Dandalooa

St Kilda has been slammed by the AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) for its quick action to sack alleged rapist Andrew Lovett.

In a statement released today, AFLPA said it is “extremely disappointed” at the decision by the St Kilda Football Club to summarily terminate the employment of Andrew Lovett.

AFLPA CEO Matthew Finnis said that the grievance procedure which has bee progressing for a number of weeks between Andrew Lovett and the St Kilda Football Club should have been permitted to run its full course.

“The AFL and AFLPA have agreed to a grievance resolution procedure which seeks to resolve disputes between players and Clubs in good faith,” Finnis said.

“We expect that clubs and players will respect this procedure and use their best endeavours to resolve issues between them via this system. St Kilda’s decision is, in our view, inconsistent with this principle and has the potential to undermine the commitment of players to the established codes and procedures for dealing with disciplinary matters and disputes within the AFL industry.”

“AFL players are employees, and AFL clubs are workplaces. Notwithstanding the nature of their work or their profiles, AFL players ought to be able to rely upon basic principles of fairness and due process before being subjected to disciplinary action.”

“We have serious concerns as to whether Andrew’s legal rights have been respected and will further consult with his legal representatives to address this concern in coming days.”

FootyGoss understands Lovett has called in lawyers to assess his options for what he may claim to be unfair dismissal.

The Saints this week terminated the contract of Lovett in what has been described as a horror start to the season for 2009’s runners-up after South Melbourne Criminal Investigation Unit detectives yesterday charged the 27-year-old on summons, which means he was not arrested or placed in custody.

The Saints terminated the contract, effective immediately, for bringing the club’s name into disrepute, a breach of his contract.

Lovett filed a grievance against the club earlier this month, with Finnis adding that it should have been allowed to run its full course.

The Saints traded their first-round draft pick in October 2009 to recruit the troubled Lovett from Essendon, but now the club cited the midfielder’s previous indiscretions, breaching his employment contract, as the reason for his termination.

Lovett will appear in Melbourne Magistrate’s Court today to face one count of rape.

Divulging their reasons for the swift termination, the club said in a statement: “During Andrew’s short period of employment with St Kilda, he engaged in a series of acts and omissions in breach of his employment contract, entitling the club to regard his employment as at an end.”

“The St Kilda Football Club has relied on specific clauses within Andrew Lovett’s Standard Playing Contract and the AFL Players Code of Conduct, to permit termination of contract for breach of such clauses.

“Following Andrew’s previous arrest in November 2009, a recent Victoria Police investigation and the subsequent rape charge brought against Andrew, the club formed the view that Andrew’s conduct had brought the Saints into disrepute under his Standard Playing Contract, which entitled the club to terminate his employment. 

“The club would like to emphasise that all people charged with a criminal offence are entitled to the presumption of innocence.

“The Saints’ decision is not based on whether or not Andrew Lovett is innocent or guilty of the charge. That was not part of the club’s decision making process and is for the court to decide.”

Lovett’s charge relates to an incident on December 24 when a woman accused the midfielder of sexual assault against her, which is alleged to have happened while she was asleep.