.png)
7 months ago
47
The AFL might face calls to expel Carl Ditterich from its Hall of Fame, following the implementation of removal policies introduced just last year.
It comes after Ditterich was charged with multiple child sexual offences on Friday related to an alleged incident in 1985.
Updated guidelines for Hall of Fame exclusion came into play when Barry Cable, a celebrated figure in both North Melbourne and Perth football circles, was expelled.
This action followed a judicial ruling in Western Australia, which convicted him of sexually assaulting a young girl numerous times throughout his career, including a rape incident within the Perth Football Club's locker rooms in 1971.
In anticipation of the verdict against Cable, the AFL Commission modified the Hall of Fame's charter in June of the previous year.
Under the revised criteria, the AFL Commission has the authority to suspend or expunge any member of the Hall of Fame if they are charged with or found guilty of a major offense, or if they engage in behavior deemed by the commission to be detrimental to the AFL's interests.
Inductees can also face suspension or removal for actions that, in the commission’s view, might tarnish the reputation of the AFL, the individual in question, any AFL team, or the sport of Australian football as a whole.
Ditterich was known as the 'Blonde Bomber' during his playing days because of his shock of blonde hair and aggressive playing style
Ditterich [pictured right] was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in Melbourne in 2004
The alleged incident happened after Ditterich's playing career for St Kilda and Melbourne had concluded
Ditterich, 78, faces three counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency, all involving a single alleged victim.
He was scheduled to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
The arrest, confirmed by Victoria Police, relates to an accusation that Ditterich assaulted a child in Heatherton, southeast of Melbourne, when he was in his early 40s, shortly after ending his AFL career.
The charges were issued by the Bayside Sexual Offences and Child-abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT).
'Bayside Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives have charged a man following an investigation into alleged historic child sex offences,' the statement said.
'The incidents against one victim [allegedly] occurred in Heatherton in 1985.'
Ditterich, now living in Echuca, has engaged Tony Hargreaves, a well-known criminal defence lawyer, for his defence.
The Herald Sun has reported Hargreaves appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court and presented a medical certificate from Bendigo Health for Ditterich, who was absent from the hearing.
This certificate was submitted to account for Ditterich's non-appearance.
Ditterich is due back in court on June 28 for a committal mention.
English (US)