C7 backs down on Drugs Story

[Squawk]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22362578-23211,00.html

Seven backs down on drugs story

September 04, 2007 THE Seven Network has made a major backdown from its stand-off with the AFL in relation to the drugs controversy which prompted a fall-out between the league and its broadcaster.

The network announced it would abandon its challenge to a Victorian Supreme Court injunction prohibiting the publication of details about drug use at a Melbourne club, and said it regretted any damage it caused to the AFL and its players.

However, AFL players are yet to announce whether they will call off their boycott of the network, with the AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) executive meeting tonight to formalise its position.

Players have refused to answer questions from Seven reporters in retribution to a report the network aired on August 24, which cited the confidential medical reports of two players.

The players have also threatened to boycott the Brownlow Medal count, which will be televised by Seven, and have called for Seven to apologise for its report.

Seven did not apologise in its statement or on its 6pm news bulletin, but said it regretted the damage caused to its relationship with the players.

It said it would not publish or re-publish any details first aired in last month's report and "would consent to continuing the injunctions issued in the Supreme Court proceedings".

"The Seven Network values the co-operation it receives from AFL players and sincerely regrets any damage which has been caused to our relationship with the players by virtue of a story which was aired on Friday, 24th August," it said in a statement.

"The network accepts the principle that the confidentiality of private medical records between a medical practitioner and his patients was paramount and critical to the treatment and welfare of a patient.

"The Commercial TV Industry Code of Practice only allows for the broadcasting of such material in any event when there is an identifiable public interest."

Seven's Melbourne boss Ian Johnson said the network and league had resolved the fall-out.

"We have a strong partnership with the AFL and sometimes we'll have a difference of opinion, but we can work it out," Johnson told Seven News. "We're looking forward to the finals and the Brownlow Medal."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said: "Certainly from our perspective we've got no issues with the Seven Network.

"They're a terrific broadcast partner. We've got a big game on Friday night which they'll be covering and of course on Sunday."

Seven will televise the weekend's qualifying finals between Port Adelaide and West Coast (Friday night) and Geelong and the Kangaroos (Sunday).

However the AFLPA is yet to decide on whether players will speak to the network in the lead-up and after those games.

An AFLPA spokesman said executive members would discuss the boycott tonight to formalise a position.

"At this stage all we can say is that we will review our position in light of this new information and we will be making further comment tomorrow," the spokesman said.

The court injunction also prevents other media outlets publishing details about the club involved.

AAP

[Squawk]

I can't believe this statement after all that has transpired between the AFL and Dylan Howard in the past week.

"AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said: "Certainly from our perspective we've got no issues with the Seven Network. "

[smac]

It'd take a fair bit for me to have an issue with someone who wants to give me $800m every 5 years.

[Squawk]

It'd take a fair bit for me to have an issue with someone who wants to give me $800m every 5 years.

Naturally - except he had forgotten that last week!