Booze cruise case closed
29/01/2010 6:56 PM
The AFL has announced it will take no further disciplinary action against the Carlton players involved in incidents relating to the club's infamous pre-Christmas 'booze cruise'.
The league wrote to Carlton on December 24 seeking an explanation over the behaviour of several Blues including Andrew Walker, Ryan Houlihan and Eddie Betts, and for the club’s failure to keep the AFL properly informed.
AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson said he had received a detailed response from the club earlier this month outlining the actions it had taken to deal with the matter.
These include the banning of Walker, Houlihan and Betts from training with the club for one month and their suspension from NAB Cup for their scrapes with authority in the hours after the players' drunken pre-Christmas cruise.
Walker and Houlihan tangled with security staff at Crown Casino while Betts was taken into custody by Victoria Police for being drunk in a public place.
Anderson said the league was satisfied with the explanations provided by Carlton and the action the club had taken against the players involved.
But he stressed that Carlton needs to implement an effective alcohol policy.
"It is important that the club continues to pursue a culture of responsible use of alcohol," Anderson said.
"The club has already taken steps to improve in this area but the AFL will appoint an appropriate person to consult with the club to further assist it in its approach to responsible use of alcohol."
Failure by the Carlton to address this issue will result in sanctions.