The AFL has officially handed down sanctions to Collingwood Magpies vice-captain Steele Sidebottom and defender Lynden Dunn following the pair's breach of the AFL's strict COVID-19 protocols.
An investigation was launched on Tuesday after Collingwood self-reported an incident where both players used an Uber after visiting teammate Jeremy Howe's home, thereby breaking the AFL's Return To Play protocols.
While Sidebottom has also been further sanctioned after he was picked up by police in an intoxicated state following a visit to Collingwood staff member Daniel Wells' home.
The AFL has subsequently confirmed both players have been issued bans, with Sidebottom to be suspended for the next four of the Magpies' matches and Dunn to be ruled out of this weekend's clash against Essendon.
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“The protocols have been clearly communicated, reviewed and accepted by all players across the league. The sanctions enforced in recent weeks should have been the reminder for everyone across the clubs, so we are disappointed to be having to deal with these breaches.” AFL General Counsel said in a statement.
“We acknowledge both players’ remorse and cooperation with the investigation and recognise they reported the breaches to the club to ensure any risk could be mitigated. Now, more than ever, we all must continue to be vigilant and respect that the protocols are in place to ensure the safety of the players, their families, clubs, staff and the wider community.”
As well as the sanctions handed down, both players were forced to undergo COVID-19 testing before being cleared to return to training.
Dunn has since returned to Holden Centre after being cleared and will be available to feature in Collingwood's practice match against Essendon this weekend. Sidebottom is expected to return next week if he is cleared by test results.
A Collingwood statement admitted the club were dissatisfied with the sanction handed down to Sidebottom, which they described as "excessive, inconsistent with recent protocol breaches and contestable."
The club will however not be challenging their vice-captain's four-match ban.
“To his credit, Steele considered what was in the best interests of the code and Collingwood,” Collingwood General Manager of Football Geoff Walsh said of a possible appeal.
“Firstly, he accepts that he made some poor decisions but he also feels it is the right thing to accept the punishment, a greater punishment than most believe is fair, to avoid a distraction that could create difficulties for the competition and his team-mates. That’s the sort of person Steele is.
“As a club, we considered all options but our disappointment over Steele’s suspension is no greater than it is over the fact that two senior players breached the return to play protocols.
“Everyone knows Steele and Lynden started out with the best of intentions, to console an injured team-mate, but our players and staff have been well educated on the protocols and we take our social responsibilities seriously.
“We respect the privilege we have to play and the conditions under which we must live in order to play.
“As a code and as a community we have to remain vigilant and disciplined. This episode and the circumstances out in the wider community reinforce the need to minimise the risk of transmission.”
The two players have joined a growing list of players who have been investigated or suspended for COVID-19 breaches.
Essendon player Conor McKenna was involved in coronavirus scare that saw their game postponed, while two Melbourne Demons players were suspended over breaches.
