AUSTRALIAN RULES:RICKY NIXON has been suspended from holding a licence as a player agent for two years following allegations surrounding his dealings with a 17-year-old girl.
Nixon, who has been recruiting in Ireland for the past three seasons and was responsible for bringing Tommy Walsh to St Kilda, is in a drug-rehabilitation clinic but a statement issued on his behalf said he was “disappointed” with the verdict of the AFL Players’ Association.
Police are understood to be continuing an investigation after the teenager at the centre of the controversy had alleged Nixon had approached her after she had posted photos online of Walsh’s St Kilda team-mates Nick Riewoldt and Nick dal Santo in the nude and that they had a sexual relationship and took drugs.
AFLPA agent accreditation board chairman Ian Prendergast said Nixon had breached the standards governing accredited agents by conducting an inappropriate relation with the girl, acting in a manner contrary to the interests of the players he represented, and lying to clients about his dealings with the teenager and so became the first agent ever to have his licence revoked.
‘‘The board does not take such decisions lightly,’’ said Prendergast. ‘‘Ricky Nixon has been an AFL player agent for over 15 years, has been an innovator in the industry and has contributed much to the promotion of player rights and interests throughout this time.
‘‘However, the board has found that Ricky has in recent times made serious errors of judgment, which warrant a serious response.’’
Nixon has 14 days to lodge an appeal.
Walsh and the rest of the 47-year-old’s clients can still remain with his Flying Start agency but it is thought many of them will look to sever ties.
Nixon will still be allowed to act for coaches, however, with his clients in that sphere including newly-appointed international rules coach Rodney Eade.
Nixon’s lawyer, Rod Lamplugh, said Nixon felt the penalty was “excessive” and did not take into account his “significant contribution” to the AFL and agents’ sector. He said an appeal was being considered.
“Our client is not surprised, but is greatly disappointed by the decision as he believes the Board’s process and investigation . . . has been completely flawed,” a statement released by the lawyers read.
Meanwhile, the girl at the centre of the scandal that has been running since last May, when she claimed to be pregnant by St Kilda player Sam Gilbert – a claim she subsequently admitted was a lie – tweeted “:) Satisfied. Told you so. #YouLoseRicky” before amending her thoughts to “2 years . . . Not good enough. Life is more appropriate.”
AFL chief Andrew Demetriou said the league accepted the board’s decision.
“The AFL has said from the outset this is a very serious matter and Mr Nixon’s actions were inappropriate and totally unacceptable,” Demetriou declared.
