Hird is 'still paid' by Bombers

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JAMES Hird is continuing to be paid through Essendon, despite AFL chief Andrew Demetriou's insistence that the Bombers are banned from paying him.

The contradiction threatens to undermine the credibility of the AFL Commission resolution on the Essendon saga.

And Sports Minister Peter Dutton has issued a "please explain" regarding government-appointed Australian Sports Commission chairman John Wylie's role in secret negotiations before Essendon's penalties hearing.

"I am seeking further information on this matter,'' Mr Dutton.

The Dons supplements saga exploded again on Wednesday after a series of revelations in the Herald Sun over inducements offered to Hird.

On the pay stoush, Demetriou told 3AW on Wednesday: "He's not allowed to be paid - I want to make that very clear.

"The sanction to James Hird is 12 months' suspension ... suspension without pay. If there is one thing I will go to my grave on, I know 100 per cent the AFL is not paying and I know that Essendon is not paying.''

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But a source on Wednesday night told the Herald Sun that the Bombers had been paying Hird since he was rubbed out on August 27.

"James is being paid a salary as pursuant to his contract," the source said.

"A third party cannot interfere with those contractual arrangements.''

And Ian Hanke, who advised Hird's legal team, said there had been no mention of the coach being suspended without pay in any penalty agreements.

"It gobsmacks me a little," Mr Hanke said.

"I don't know why Mr Demetriou has said that, but it's just not spelled out in any way, shape or form in the actual deed of arrangement that was reached between the AFL and Hird.''

James Hird outside his home.

Demetriou strongly indicated the Bombers would face further sanctions if Hird was being paid by the club.

Essendon chairman Paul Little said "no comment'' when asked whether Hird was being paid.

The Bombers later said it was an issue "covered by confidentiality agreements''.

Thursday's Herald Sun also reveals fresh claims that former Essendon chairman David Evans asked Hird to withhold information from Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency investigators.

Former Victorian premier and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett called for an open inquiry into the league's handling of the crisis.

Concerns were also raised over revelations in Wednesday's Herald Sun that Wylie was at the centre of negotiations, during which Hird was offered a series of inducements, in the days leading up to the AFL Commission hearing into the drugs crisis.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou speaks to the media. Picture: Hamish Blair

Amid discussions between Wylie and Little, the Essendon coach was offered "an outstanding career development opportunity'' in return for dropping legal action.

And the club was offered "no player sanctions'' and "no double jeopardy''.

Demetriou defended negotiations, saying: "It is absolutely true that (Essendon chairman) Paul Little approached John Wylie to act as an intermediary to try and reach some sort of breakthrough.

"I think they were discussing what may or may not happen. Where will this go? What sorts of sanctions do you think (there'll) be…?"

But he admitted there would have been bartering, saying: "Of course they're dealing. All I'm saying is I'm not privy to those deals. And the lawyers were talking at those times as well ... And that's a normal part of what happens before any hearing."

Mr Demetriou said: "The Commission was not permitted to have any dialogue with the Essendon Football Club or with James Hird or with the other individuals.''

AFL Chair Mike Fitzpatrick hands down sanctions to the Essendon Football Club.

And he acknowledged Wylie would have been talking to AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick, saying: "My assumption is that John Wylie and Mike Fitzpatrick would speak regularly because they are associates, they're friends.''

Mr Dutton said: "Mr Wylie is a person of integrity and he has worked hard for sport in this country for many years.

"I am seeking further information on this matter and it would be inappropriate to comment further.''

Mr Kennett said the Essendon supplements scandal "took a very different turn when James Hird threatened to take the AFL to court".

"It was at that point the AFL started negotiating, doing deals, in order to avoid this matter going to court," Mr Kennett said.

"I suspect now, I've just seen what could be the tip of the iceberg.

Essendon chairman Paul Little says outgoing coach James Hird accepted the penalties for the good of the club.

"The only way the AFL can clear themselves of accusations of improper behaviour, of covering up, of deceit, of lower government standards … (is to have them) examined in an open court or forum, where there can be no risk that the truth can be suppressed," he said.

michael.warner@news.com.au

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