James Hird celebrates with players after Friday's win. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun
AFL commissioner Bill Kelty has defended his weekend meeting with embattled Essendon coach James Hird.
Mr Kelty revealed he had told the league that he would remove himself from any involvement in any AFL Commission decision it made on the Essendon drugs scandal and Hird.
Mr Kelty, a Bombers supporter, said he had a conflict of interest because of a business association with Essendon president David Evans and his friendship with Hird, whom he visited at his Toorak home on Saturday night.
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Asked whether it was appropriate for him to visit Hird, Mr Kelty said: "I have already indicated to the AFL that if the matter comes to the AFL for consideration that I would have a conflict of interest arising out of my chairmanship with David Evans and our close friendship."
Andrew Demetriou says Essendon coach James Hird should consider standing down over drug allegations.
Mr Kelty confirmed he spoke to Hird on Saturday night and "went through the issues with him".
"As I said, I have already indicated that I would stand aside from the AFL for this matter if it comes to Essendon," he said.
"It's only on this issue and I said that from the outset. As soon as it came to light I said that because I'm a very close friend of David Evans."
Mr Kelty said he chaired Mr Evans' stockbroking company's advisory committee. He said while he knew Hird, he would not say if he was a close friend.
Premiership teammates and close friends have urged Hird to continue coaching Essendon, despite pressure from the AFL and his looming ASADA interrogation.
AFL commissioner Bill Kelty leaves James Hird's house on Saturday night.
Hird maintains he will not consider standing down as he deals with allegations that he took the WADA-banned Hexarelin and had detailed knowledge of the club's now notorious supplements program.
After the Bombers' win against Fremantle on Friday night, Hird again expressed confidence about proving his innocence.
He is to be interviewed by Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigators tomorrow.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said on Friday that Hird should consider stepping down, but it was understood yesterday the league would not force him to walk away as coach.
The AFL is involved in the ASADA investigation into Essendon's use of supplements and Demetriou spoke last week of knowledge about the inquiry he had obtained from classified briefings.
Essendon coach James Hird is set to reveal he received two injections from sports scientist Stephen Dank for health reasons.
Bulldogs president Peter Gordon said unorthodox supplement programs should be banned, regardless of whether Essendon was found guilty of breaching the performance-enhancing drugs code.
He was also "uncomfortable" with coaches taking drugs.
- with Sam Landsberger
daryl.timms@news.com.au
THE STORY SO FAR
February 12: Former sports scientist Stephen Dank drops new bombshell claims
February 15: Drugs scandal takes huge toll on Essendon chairman
February 17: Essendon drug probe expected to last six months
February 22: Signed forms may save Essendon players
March 20: Essendon could face Senate inquiry
April 11: Hird will fight drug claim
April 12: Hird to admit: I was injected twice
April 13: Hird vows to stay after fighting win
April 14: ASADA to interview Hird on Tuesday
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