Sidebottom under investigation over alleged breaches
Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom is under investigation for multiple breaches of the AFL's COVID-19 protocols.
Sidebottom and teammate Lynden Dunn have both been interviewed for alleged breaches that took place last weekend following the Magpies' loss to Greater Western Sydney in Sydney.
Sidebottom is alleged to have committed three potential breaches such as travelling in an Uber, staying in the company of someone for longer than two hours and visiting former teammate Daniel Wells in Williamstown. Wells, who works with the Magpies but is not in the club's ''bubble'', is not a person he is allowed to visit under the AFL rules.
Steele SidebottomCredit:a
If Sidebottom is suspended it will be a massive blow for the Magpies ahead of their clash with Essendon on Friday night.
Dunn, who shared an Uber ride with Sidebottom, is injured and not available this week.
The players were interviewed by the AFL on Monday and the league is expected to finish its investigation on Wednesday, allowing Sidebottom to either be suspended or cleared to play in Friday night's crunch match against Essendon.
In a statement, the AFL confirmed an investigation into a potential breach of COVID-19 protocols without naming the Collingwood pair.
However, in a separate statement, the Magpies confirmed that both Sidebottom and Dunn were under investigation "for breaches of the AFL’s return to play protocols".
"Sidebottom and Dunn shared an Uber on Saturday evening and Sidebottom later visited a member of staff who is not living under the game’s protocols," the Magpies statement said.
"The breaches were reported to the AFL on Sunday afternoon. The players were interviewed by the AFL yesterday (on Monday)
"Sidebottom and Dunn will not be permitted to return to the Holden Centre until cleared to do so by COVID-19 testing."
If found guilty of breaches, Sidebottom will be by far the most experienced and decorated AFL player found to have breached protocols.
The Magpies have already been left reeling by the knee injury to defender Jeremy Howe, who will miss a large chuck on football after being injured against the Giants at the weekend.
More to come