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\u2018SECRET DEAL\u2019: SHOCK CONCUSSION REPORT<\/p>\n
A Victorian-based AFL club has quietly signed an agreement that makes a player who\u2019s suffered multiple concussions legally responsible for any future brain injuries sustained on the field, according to <\/a>CODE Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n Herald Sun chief football writer and Fox Footy First Crack host Jay Clark on Thursday morning detailed his bombshell report, which didn\u2019t identify the club or player to protect the player\u2019s identity and sources.<\/p>\n \u201cA Victorian club has signed a secret deal with one of its players, which required them to accept all legal risks of any further head trauma they suffered on the field,\u201d Clark said in a video posted to CODE Sports.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a current-day player \u2013 who has suffered multiple concussions \u2013 who signed an agreement, which said they take it upon themselves \u2013 the physical and legal risk of loss, damage or injury arising from anymore brain injuries.<\/p>\n A concerning development in the AFL concussion crisis. Picture: AAP Image\/Mal FaircloughSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cIncredibly, this is a major worry for AFL players because it sets a dangerous example for others to essentially wave their legal rights on head trauma.<\/p>\n \u201cMy understanding is this isn\u2019t the only assumption of risk agreement which has existed on concussion at AFL level. So it wasn\u2019t the first, but it very well could be the last.<\/p>\n \u201cUnsurprisingly when I first asked the club about this signed contract, they denied it ever existed or could not recall it happening. But it soon became clear \u2013 and that is when the crisis meetings began.\u201d<\/p>\n Fox Sports News journalist Aspen Blomfield reported the player \u201csuffered multiple concussions in their early days\u201d in the AFL, but \u201cwanted to continue playing\u201d \u2013 hence the deal was struck between the two parties. It was reported senior club executives sought board for the deal, which was signed two years ago.<\/p>\n Clause 7.3 of the AFL\u2019s standard playing contracts states: \u201cThe AFL club shall provide a playing, training and working environment which is, so far as is reasonably practicable, free from any risk to the health, safety and welfare of the player. No player shall be engaged by a club other than under the Contract of Service lodged with the AFL. The Contract of Service shall be in the form prescribed from time to time.\u201d<\/p>\n AFL Players\u2019 Association chief executive James Gallagher told CODE Sports his union was \u201cin discussions with AFL to better understand the circumstances of this case and ensure this issue is not replicated further at the elite level\u201d. SEN senior journalist Sam Edmund reported the AFLPA \u201cwere completely unaware\u201d of the deal when they were informed about it one week ago.<\/p>\n Concussion campaigner and player manager Peter Jess declared to Clark: \u201cThis is the most retrograde step witnessed in any professional sport for safety and duty of care by an employer. This walks players back to the dark ages of health and safety for profit.\u201d<\/p>\n Jess later told SEN Breakfast: \u201c\u201cMy initial reaction is one of total disbelief how a public company can behave in this manner to its most valuable commodity, which is the players.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just unbelievable that they\u2019re not thinking about making sure that these guys have got a safe workplace.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you try and contract out their basic human rights then what you do is create a position no better than modern day slavery.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about safety first, safety second and safety third.\u201d<\/p>\n It comes after a recent AFLPA poll showed 82 per cent of AFL players had reported \u201chigh levels of concern about long-term effects of concussion – the highest on record and increasing every year\u201d, per the player union\u2019s report.<\/p>\n