Clubs being investigated for COVID protocol breaches as AFL takes tough stance on hub life
The AFL is investigating three clubs on the Gold Coast for potential breaches of the league's COVID-19 protocols as close to 400 people prepare to fly to Queensland to enter quarantine hubs on Thursday under the AFL banner.
The league was speaking to Carlton, North Melbourne and Richmond about the actions of some of their travelling parties that may have contravened the strict guidelines that apply to anyone connected to AFL teams in the Sunshine State.
The AFL will be take a tough stance on anyone who breaches guidelines in the hubs.Credit:Getty Images
Although the breaches are understood to be minor in nature and, in one instance, potentially as a result of a miscommunication, the AFL is taking a tough stance.
The league would not comment.
With Queensland announcing on Wednesday that it had recorded two positive tests from people who had arrived from Victoria via NSW but not stayed in quarantine, tensions are rising in the community.
The AFL is desperate to ensure no one from the league steps outside the guidelines they established in consultation with the Queensland government to allow the competition to continue in the state.
The relocation of the families of players, broadcasters and umpires as well as key staff from AFL clubs has made the AFL nervous and they have told clubs they will have little tolerance if anyone flouts the rules.
The AFL, which is footing the bill for players and their families to stay in Queensland, has also been annoyed at the attitude of some individuals within clubs who have made unreasonable requests or claimed unnecessary expenses.
The league has had little choice but to allow players to have families join them with the Players Association making it a key condition of the extended relocation outside Victoria, but they have had to continually emphasise the importance of sticking to protocols.
They have also had to remind players and their partners that anyone who complains on social media about aspects of their stay would be jeopardising their chances of remaining in hubs.
The competition is dependent on the hub system working well and ensuring Queenslanders remain supportive of hosting such an influx of people south of the border, with the premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing on Wednesday people from Greater Sydney were banned from entering the state after 1am Saturday.