AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou says James Hird is innocent until proven guilty. Picture: Tony Gough Source: Herald Sun
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has refuted reports he called for James Hird to step aside from his position as coach of Essendon while the ASADA investigation continued.
Speaking at a sponsors lunch for the GWS Giants in Sydney today, Demetriou declared Hird is doing the right thing by not commenting about his conduct in the media.
"What I said was James Hird when he was going through his thought process I'm sure that (stepping aside from his coaching job) is one of the things he's considering, that's exactly what I said,'' Demetriou said.
"I didn't call for him to stand down at all.
"I don't think he should at all put it (his case) in the public forum, he's absolutely doing the most appropriate that he's responding to the investigation in accordance with the process of the investigation."
Demetriou also said Hird and the Essendon Football Club are entitled to be viewed as innocent until proven guilty.
"He's entitled to go through that process,'' Demetriou said.
"I don't get it when a media outlet says when they put 17 questions and he refuses to answer them why they think he should answer those questions from the media.
"They're not investigating him, he's being investigated by ASADA.
"He is entitled as an individual to the presumption of innocence, something we should all hold very sacred in this country.
The strain shows on James Hird emerges from a meeting at Windy Hill. Picture: Mike Keating Source: Herald Sun
While the Essendon coach may be suffering badly in the court of public opinion, the AFL CEO said it had no bearing on the ASADA investigation.
"I don't think the court of public opinion matters at all in this instance because it's a serious issue,'' Demetriou said.
"He's being investigated as part of the Essendon Football Club and he, like several other people and the players included, will be interviewed by ASADA and they may be interviewed again.
"But we have to let that process run it's course so we are all better informed.
"I am no more informed about the progress, I haven't even had a briefing about what happened in his interview the other day.
"ASADA are leading the investigation it'll take time I know people want it done expeditiously, but these things do take time."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Demetriou backs silent James Hird
Dengan url
http://beritaandalan.blogspot.com/2013/04/demetriou-backs-silent-james-hird.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Demetriou backs silent James Hird
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Demetriou backs silent James Hird
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar