Fevola denies allegation but career on knife's edge

Wed 8 Sep

Brendan Fevola may have played his last game in a tumultuous 204-match AFL career as the Brisbane Lions appear poised to axe him for his latest alleged indiscretion.

The Lions suspended Fevola indefinitely today 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 his management company says he will cooperate fully with Queensland Police and AFL investigations.

The career of Brendan Fevola hangs in the balance after the controversial forward was suspended indefinitely on Wednesday as the AFL investigated "alleged indecent exposure" at a weekend function attended by children.

Lions CEO Michael Bowers said a man rang the club to complain about Fevola's behaviour towards his wife at the non-club function that was also attended by two of their children.

Bowers said the club immediately alerted the AFL who began an investigation.

After speaking with AFL investigators, the man also approached Queensland police.

It is believed the 29-year-old Fevola spoke with the Lions to give his account of the alleged incident on Wednesday morning.

Bowers said there was no suggestion that the "several other" Lions players who were also at the function had been involved in or had witnessed the alleged incident.

He said the club would wait until the investigation was complete before deciding on any further action.

However, Fevola will not attend the Lions' club presentation on Thursday night.

Fevola is expected to have his $700,000-a-season deal torn up by the Lions if the allegations are proven.

"Respect and responsibility towards women is something that this club thinks is non-negotiable," Bowers said.

"We feel that the allegation is a very serious one and we think if the behaviour is as described, then it's unacceptable behaviour for anyone in football.

"While everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the Brisbane Lions Football Club wants to make clear it is taking this incident seriously and feels the only proper course of action is to suspend Brendan immediately from all club activity until such time as the AFL and police have had an opportunity to investigate the matter further.

"The club will continue to cooperate fully with the AFL and any Queensland police investigation."

It has already been a tumultuous year for Fevola after being traded by Carlton to the Lions.

First there was the fallout over his Brownlow Medal shenanigans, then the Lara Bingle photo scandal.

Fevola also grabbed headlines this year when he revealed that he was battling a chronic gambling addiction.

The star forward kicked 48 goals in his first year with the Lions before succumbing to a groin complaint.

However, he still couldn't stay out of the news.

Fevola raised eyebrows when he was seen entering a Melbourne nightclub early on a Saturday morning after undergoing groin surgery.

It came just days after Lions captain Jonathan Brown had urged Fevola to stay in Brisbane and take his rehabilitation seriously. - aap

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