Former Demons coach Dean Bailey died earlier this month from lung cancer. Source: Getty Images
FORMER Melbourne coach Dean Bailey was “threatened” by the AFL and warned to take a deal over his role in the club’s alleged tanking, his lawyer says.
Chris Pollard, who represented Bailey during the saga, said his client’s future in the AFL was “threatened” if he did not accept a punishment even though the club was not found guilty of tanking.
Bailey died earlier this month from lung cancer at just 47, a year after he was suspended from coaching for 16 weeks by the league.
“Out of the Melbourne tanking scenario, no one was ever charged, let alone found guilty,” Mr Pollard told the ABC’s 7.30 program.
“It’s just like me being charged with murder, going to court, being found not guilty, and then serving 10 years non-parole. That’s the absurdity of it.”
“Threats were made that (Bailey) probably didn’t have a great future in the AFL football industry and Dean was concerned with that in terms of financially supporting his family.”
Mr Pollard said things were “swept under the carpet” by the AFL so the league wouldn’t be embarrassed, but that Bailey was concerned about being tainted as a cheat.
“He ... was a very, very, very decent man, a family man, and a good guy - people that I think football needs.”
AFL spokesman James Tonkin refused to comment.
tom.minear@news.com.au
No comments:
Post a Comment