Breaking News:Cousins Officially Deregistered from the AFL

[PottSie2]

I have a feel for WHY the AFL is doing this, but as usual it's selective on their part. They could invoke this on anyone really - Didak this year? Fev last year in Ireland - bullsh1t rule to use when they feel like it.

I suspect if they go through with this, it will lead to court action. Hopefully VLad and his band of amateurs will be exposed for what they are.

 

[Shaker_Maker]

Double standards

What, you just realised? Part of AFL policy if you hadn't noticed.

 

[giantroo]

Cousins was going to be automatically deregistered once he was delisted by WC.

That is nothing new. That is not "breaking news"

The new development is that the AFL has decided to charge Cousins with bringing the game into disrepute.

That is such a wishy-washy charge, but I guess that's the idea. If it's totally ambiguous, then it's harder to contest. Cousins was all set to play in 2008 until he was arrested last month. I don't see how that changed anything, seeing as the drugs charges were subsequently dropped.

The AFL is sending the message that negative publicity is more significant than the reality of whether someone has actually done anything wrong.

This is from AAP wires:

AFL: Cousins charged with bringing game into disrepute AFL Cousins
MELBOURNE, Nov 2 AAP - The AFL has charged fallen West Coast star Ben Cousins with bringing the game into disrepute.
The AFL Commission made the decision at a meeting this afternoon, league chief executive Andrew Demetriou said in a statement.
Demetriou had written to Cousins to advise him of the charge, he said.
He said Cousins' father Bryan and manager Ricky Nixon were contacted late today to advise them of the charge.
A hearing is scheduled for November 19 at AFL headquarters in Melbourne to decide the charge.
Cousins has the right to appear at the hearing in person, via video conference or have someone appear on his behalf, the AFL said.
Cousins was sacked by the Eagles last month after being arrested and charged with drug offences, although one of the two charges against him was subsequently dropped.
Bryan Cousins said yesterday his son was currently receiving treatment in Los Angeles at an appropriate facility, and would be attending rehabilitation centre The Summit Medical Centre in the next few days.

Surely you can read between the lines.

 

[Jimthegreat]

Actually, read through it and you will see that your reply is the single biggest pile of horse shit you've herad in a very long time.

Everything he wrote was absolutely spot on.
He has embarrassed the game through his actions; whether or not various entities inside the AFL have failed him is irrelevant.

Through his own actions, he has bought disgrace and embarrassment onto the West Coast Eagles and the AFL, and they are well within their power to charge him with bringing the game into disrepute.
Let's get serious, with the noises Demetriou has been making the past week or two, did anyone ever really think they would let him play next year?

Unfortunately pubic opinions means nothing when up against the technicalities of the rules and the law. Despite what we know in real terms, he hasn't failed a drug test, so he has 3 strikes to go, no criminal convictions and is up on a mere traffic charge, which he may yet get off. In reality, what do the AFL have. What the AFL will know if they stop him playing completely next year they will more than likely find themselves in Court. The last thing they'll want is for their rules to be challenged there.

 

[Shaker_Maker]

The AFL is sending the message that negative publicity is more significant than the reality of whether someone has actually done anything wrong.

nail, head, the, on

 

[kilaw]

Nothing about deregistering him. That happend automaticly when the Eagles delisted him

Except we didn't delist him... we terminated his contract. He is or was still a listed player at WC.

 

[rusdid24]

Unfortunately pubic opinions means nothing when up against the technicalities of the rules and the law. Despite what we know in real terms, he hasn't failed a drug test, so he has 3 strikes to go, no criminal convictions and is up on a mere traffic charge, which he may yet get off. In reality, what do the AFL have. What the AFL will know if they stop him playing completely next year they will more than likely find themselves in Court. The last thing they'll want is for their rules to be challenged there.

He needs to appeal the decision first through AFL channels, and when that fails, he will go to court, the court will apply Cameron v Hogan, like in the Greg Williams appeal, and like in every sporting case in this country's history, and Ben will be sent on his way.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Surely you can read between the lines.

I'm not sure what you're referring to.

I'm just telling people what has actually happened.

Draw your own conclusions.

 

[carmi99]

Not having a go at you personally but that is the single biggest pile of horse shit I have heard in a very long time.

It is not Horse shit at all. You may not agree with it but they are the rules and guidlines set out by the AFL. Any action which affects public opinion of the brand name can be classed as bringing the game into disrespute as set out in the AFL's consitution.

Every word that the other guy said was spot on and in line with the AFL's rules and regulations.....

 

[bigdroppunt]

Nothing about deregistering him. That happend automaticly when the Eagles delisted him

I was sure he was still on the list, Something about sueing the club if they droped him ?

Funny part is Vlad wants him here in 2 weeks to face the charge. What a goose. He knows he is in the States with rehab, so how unfair is it to set a date now and not allow him to defend himself. Dont yu just hate Vlad and his AFL croneys

They did say on the radio (SEN) that he could do it via video link-up.

 

[walken79]

It is not Horse shit at all. You may not agree with it but they are the rules and guidlines set out by the AFL. Any action which affects public opinion of the brand name can be classed as bringing the game into disrespute as set out in the AFL's consitution.

Every word that the other guy said was spot on and in line with the AFL's rules and regulations.....

The horse shit comment was directed at the AFL, as I said, twice now, I didn't direct that at the bloke who typed it.

 

[Ripper]

Interesting hearing coming up. The commission obviously want Cousin's explanation of events, before they decide what to do with WC.

 

[carmi99]

Except we didn't delist him... we terminated his contract. He is or was still a listed player at WC.

Yes you right....he is still a listed player at the Eagles until after the National draft deadline expires...Not sure when that is but it is sometime soon....

 

[SS_Fury]

I guess alot of it depends on what was in his contract, which noone here knows. There may be more to him being simply picked up by the cops - maybe he was associating with underground individuals again - and again it could be stipulated on his contract to not do so. Meh, who knows, im over the media saturation of this guy and he is a WCE legend....atleast on the field.

 

[SS_Fury]

Interesting hearing coming up. The commission obviously want Cousin's explanation of events, before they decide what to do with WC.

Perhaps they already know the events and want to be seen as the agressor and nip any action of Cuz suing the eagles and AFL in the bud.

Better not take our picks away

 

[Ripper]

Perhaps they already know the events and want to be seen as the agressor and nip any action of Cuz suing the eagles and AFL in the bud.

Better not take our picks away

Not so sure.

Former West Coast Eagles captain Ben Cousins has been told to appear before the AFL Commission to determine whether he has breached some of the league's rules and regulations.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/02/2080649.htm?section=justin

 

[campbell]

This is the AFL, they can and will do anything. Bring the game into disrepute is a vast and varying charge.

 

[SS_Fury]

Not so sure.



http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/02/2080649.htm?section=justin

So judging by that, he still may not be charged depending on what cousins says?

 

[Stronzo]

Interesting hearing coming up. The commission obviously want Cousin's explanation of events, before they decide what to do with WC.

I wonder what cousins will have to say about his old club

As for "bringing the game into disrepute", I think it is the most farcical kind of charge.

Its a shame he won't be playing again anytime soon, it would have been interesting to see how he went at another club.

 

[wce4premiership]

I hate the afl but i love football.

Demetriou is the most hypocrytical loser ever and i wish bad things upon him.

 

[Ripper]

So judging by that, he still may not be charged depending on what cousins says?

That's the way I read it.

 

[campbell]

That's the way I read it.

Makes you wonder how huge the brown paper bag he is going to receive, as a sweetener, to be nice about it all.

 

[SS_Fury]

Makes you wonder how huge the brown paper bag he is going to receive, as a sweetener, to be nice about it all.

Consipiracys already eh? Didnt take long

 

[Jimthegreat]

He needs to appeal the decision first through AFL channels, and when that fails, he will go to court, the court will apply Cameron v Hogan, like in the Greg Williams appeal, and like in every sporting case in this country's history, and Ben will be sent on his way.

No he doesn't. He has the right, like every other citizen to go to court, AFL appeal or not. Couldn't imagine seeing in our State Laws saying you have to appeal to the AFL before being permitted to go to court. Not sure John Brumby's brought that one in yet. If by law, he does nothing that warrants the AFL action, he will be playing football. Especially is he goes them on them with a "Restraint of Trade". Not all sporting cases have been losses There was Silvio Forschini, won a "restraint of trade" case against the VFL in 1983, hence gaining a clearance to St.Kilda through the Courts. The Rugby League Draft system was overturned in court as it was a "restraint of trade".

What will they get Cousins on. Technically they have nothing.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

What a complete pile of horse turds.

Demetriou said earlier in the week, when Cousins supposedly went MIA in California, that he hoped Cousins was doing everything he had to in order to be rehabilitated. Surely that would include attending his rehab program uninterrupted without having to worry about a videolink to a tribunal hearing smack in the middle of the program.