The latest development in this week’s row between the Bombers and the AFL has prompted the League to suspend its payments to Essendon until it receives clarification over whether it is paying suspended coach James Hird.
The AFL released a statement on Thursday regarding the issue, which outlines concern over the terms of Hird’s 12-month suspension and states the AFL is seeking assurances from the club that it is ‘playing by the book’.
“The public statements from the AFL, from myself as CEO over the last week, were in the belief that Essendon had concluded its payment arrangements and begun the suspension period.
“The AFL has since sought confirmation and is yet to receive it – the Essendon Football Club has also been advised in writing that if the club continues not to comply with the terms of the suspensions, the matter will be referred to the meeting of the AFL Commission in Melbourne next week,” said AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou.