Talkin Sport - JEFF FARMER

The Fremantle Football Club has reviewed the full cir*****stances surrounding recent events involving Jeff Farmer, including his public admission of his problems with alcohol.

Chief Executive Officer Cameron Schwab said yesterday that this admission and acceptance of responsibility for his problem “is an important step for Jeff not only in light of recent events, but also for his future, both personally and professionally”.

The club was of the view that two options were available – to terminate Jeff’s playing career at Fremantle or to fully support him at this time.

The club has decided to adopt the latter option.

While the club will support Jeff Farmer through his program of professional help to overcome his problem, it still remains necessary for the club to impose sanctions for the breaches of club protocols surrounding the events of last Wednesday evening.

These breaches were that Jeff failed to notify the club of the incident, this breach being a second offence, and also consuming alcohol while undertaking injury rehabilitation. The sanctions determined are:

A maximum monetary sanction of $10,000 allowable under the AFL/AFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Jeff will make a personal donation of $20,000 to the Cerebral Palsy Association for which he was an Ambassador in 2005 and 2006.
There will be a range of conditions imposed on Jeff concerning welfare and behavioural issues which have been determined and will be discussed with Jeff and his management. As an example of these conditions, Jeff will be required to complete regular community service work with the Cerebral Palsy Association or other charity as an important part of his rehabilitation process.
As well as sanctions imposed by the club, Jeff has also suffered the loss of personal endorsements to the value of approximately $25,000 per annum.

“Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of our players and we will be working closely with Jeff through this important time ahead for him,” Mr Schwab said.

“His continuing to play football and remaining a part of the club will be a critical factor in providing the stability and support for Jeff as he undertakes the professional treatment he needs at this time.

“As a result, it has been determined that Jeff will be available for selection for Fremantle for the remainder of the 2007 season.

“He has the remainder of the 2007 season to make the type of progress necessary to show that he is committed to being a positive and committed member of the Fremantle Football Club.

“There will be inevitable questions and speculation with respect to Jeff’s playing future with the club beyond 2007 when his current playing contract ends.

“The club will not be making any decisions nor making any comment on the playing future of Jeff Farmer until after the conclusion of the 2007 season,” said Mr Schwab.

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Frank Hyde