Crows crisis deepens with fresh charges over Tippett pay
THE crisis surrounding Adelaide and its now infamous 2009 contract with Kurt Tippett has deepened, with the AFL announcing further charges have been laid against the club and its chief executive Steven Trigg.
The Crows' football operations manager Phil Harper has also been charged, for the first time, with breaking the league's rules.
The charges relate to the extra payments Adelaide is alleged to have made to Tippett that were not included in the club's salary cap.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said: "In accordance with AFL Player Rule 17, which relates to the enforcement of the AFL Draft and Total Player Payments, I have today issued a further three charges."
The Crows, Trigg and Harper have been charged as follows:
Contrary to Rule 17 of the Rules, between September 2009 and October 2012, you engaged in conduct in breach of the Total Player Payments provisions in the Rules.
"Again, in accordance with Rule 17, the Adelaide Crows FC, Mr Trigg and Mr Harper were each advised today in writing of the charges," Anderson said.
"These further charges will also be heard before the full AFL Commission next Monday, November 19, at 1pm at AFL House."
The club and Trigg now face a total of three charges, while former Crows football manager John Reid and Tippett himself face two charges. Harper, who replaced Reid at the end of 2009, faces one charge.
Adelaide said in a statement on Wedneday that it had "received and understands the latest charges from the AFL's investigation into contract arrangements with Kurt Tippett.
"These matters are closely related to the existing charges.
"The club will present its case to the AFL Commission on Monday and is determined to explain its position to members, sponsors and all stakeholders as soon as possible.
"Out of respect for the AFL process, the club is unable to provide further comment on the charges until that process is complete."
