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AFL OK with Bomber Heppell’s sponsorship plug

Suspended Essendon star Dyson Heppell did not breach his suspension when he used social media to promote an Essendon sponsor, the AFL says.

Feb 02, 2016, updated Feb 02, 2016
Dyson Heppell. Photo: Tracey Nearmy, AAP.

Dyson Heppell. Photo: Tracey Nearmy, AAP.

The midfielder, who will miss this season as one of 34 current and past Essendon players found guilty of an anti-doping charge, tweeted yesterday he would attend a local car launch for Kia, one of Essendon’s major sponsors.

I'll be down at @EssendonKia from 5:30 today for the launch of the new Kia Sportage. Pop over and say g'day and have a squiz at the new rigs

— Dyson Heppell (@DysonHeppell) February 1, 2016

“As I understand it there was no issue … he wasn’t in club-based gear and they’re a personal sponsor of his,” AFL chief Gillon McLachlan told reporters in Adelaide.

ASADA said it is up to the AFL to decide whether Heppell’s promotion of an Essendon sponsor is appropriate.

WADA’s successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport means Heppell, 11 of his teammates and five players at other clubs will miss this season.

There are strict guidelines around what the banned players can and cannot do during their suspension.

For example, they are allowed to attend AFL games, but cannot go into the Essendon changerooms.

They also cannot be involved in official club activities.

Heppell has a personal sponsorship with the dealership, which says on its website that the Bombers’ star is “part of the team”.

“I’ll be down at @EssendonKia from 5:30 today for the launch of the new Kia Sportage. Pop over and say g’day and have a squiz at the new rigs,” Heppell said in the message.

When told of Heppell’s tweet, an AFL spokesman initially said it was up to ASADA to comment.

An ASADA spokesperson later said: “the sanctions are imposed by the AFL and any enquiries about appropriate activities should be directed to them.”

-AAP

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