has demetriou overstepped the mark?

Going by Tania Hird's revelation that her husband is still being paid by Essendon, and Demetriou's repeated declaration that this was NOT part of the agreement between the AFL and Essendon FC, surely it's time for him to gracefully resign, and hand over the reins to a competent executive. An executive who really has the interests of the AFL at heart, and not just (mis)use it for his own aggrandisement.

Is this a repeat of the AFL's shameful handling of the West Coast Eagles/Ben Cousins affair? From today's Australian newspaper:

"The AFL has since sought confirmation and is yet to receive it. Essendon have 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."

The dramatic escalation today came after Hird's wife Tania urged the AFL to stop making threats against her husband and the club.

Mrs Hird claimed Mr Demetriou knew that Essendon was paying her husband and accused the AFL of threatening her husband.

"Of course he's being paid, that was the deal," Tania Hird said. "Andrew Demetriou knew it, the AFL knew it.

"In my opinion, it's time for the AFL to stop threatening my husband, it's time for them to stop threatening the club, and it's time for them to stop distorting the truth.

"Their behaviour this year has been appalling."


How far will Demetriou go to tarnish AFL'S reputation for decency and fairness?