Fevola suspended over 'weekend incident'

Brendan Fevola appears to have played his last game in a tumultuous 204-match AFL
career, with the Brisbane Lions poised to axe him for his latest alleged
indiscretion.
The Lions suspended Fevola indefinitely on Wednesday after it emerged he allegedly
exposed himself to a woman who attended a park BBQ with her husband and two children
on the weekend.
But the 29-year-old has categorically denied any inappropriate behaviour and in a
statement his management company said he would cooperate fully with Queensland
Police and AFL investigations, as well as urging the public not to pre-judge the
matter.
Angry Lions officials said they were extremely disappointed by allegations brought
forward on Tuesday but would wait until investigations had finished before meting
out any possible punishment for the star forward.
After chief executive Michael Bowers avoided detailing the likely repercussions for
Fevola several times at an afternoon press conference, new chairman Angus Johnson
cut in and removed any doubt the club would take a swift and firm approach.
"Can I just make one point there - this club will be taking action," Johnson said.
"As Michael has made very clear there is an investigation under way and we have to
be patient and we have to wait for that investigation to be completed and then
action will be taken.
"This is more than just a football matter for this club.
"This is a matter the board has taken very seriously, we've acted decisively, and by
me sitting here today with Michael this is testimony to how seriously the club is
taking this allegation.
"We're clearly very disappointed."
Fevola was one of numerous Brisbane players who attended the community football
lunch-time BBQ at the Brisbane bayside suburb of Wakerley on Saturday.
AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson said the league was "extremely
concerned" by the complaints lodged by the alleged victim's husband.
"The AFL doesn't tolerate and won't tolerate indecent behaviour towards women,"
Anderson said.
Bowers and Johnson met with Fevola and his manager, Peter Blucher, on Wednesday to
detail their response, which included shutting him out of Thursday night's club
champion dinner.
They said the club supported the family in their actions.
"Respect and responsibility towards women is non-negotiable," Johnson said.
If the investigation finds Fevola guilty and he is sacked for breaking behavioural
clauses in his three-year contract, it will have a positive salary cap spin-off
effect for Brisbane.
The former Carlton spearhead is currently earning in the vicinity of $700,000 per
season and with the Lions under pressure to stay under the cap as well as re-sign
the likes of Jared Brennan and Josh Drummond, his exit could ease the strain.
Coach Michael Voss's gamble to recruit Fevola and five other seasoned players from
interstate has backfired in 2010 and left the club with a below-par list moving
forward.
Voss has lost Daniel Bradshaw (Sydney) and Michael Rischitelli (Gold Coast), who
were originally offered up as trade bait for Fevola, as a result of his first
attempt to secure the full-forward from the Blues following the fallout from his
alcohol-fuelled Brownlow Medal antics.
Brisbane eventually got their man by swapping him for youngster Lachie Henderson and
a draft pick.
Fevola failed to deliver as expected on the field, kicking 48 goals in 17 games this
season before succumbing to a groin complaint.
His influence off the field was worse for Brisbane though who had to endure the
distractions of the Lara Bingle photo scandal, his battle against a gambling
addiction and an early-morning nightclub visit before the Lions final away match in
Melbourne last month.