Adelaide Crows fined $50,000 over staff, players’ use of face masks on flight

The Adelaide Crows have been fined $50,000 for breaching the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols by not wearing face masks properly on a commercial flight from Sydney to Adelaide last weekend.

The AFL and the club investigated the incident after other passengers on the plane raised concerns.

The fine has been handed down ahead of the team’s controversial home game against Collingwood, for which the latter club has been allowed to fly into South Australia despite the state’s border restrictions with Victoria.

In a statement, the Adelaide Crows’ CEO Tim Silvers apologised for the breach, saying the club had not lived up to its own standards or those of the community.

“We are well aware of our responsibilities and the need to adhere to guidance and protocols put in place by the AFL and health authorities,” Mr Silvers said.

“Our club accepts the AFL’s penalty and from top to bottom owns this error in judgement.”

Mr Silvers said the club had been “complacent” and the incident should serve as a reminder “to be vigilant in playing our part to try and limit the spread of COVID-19”.

“It is a privilege to be playing games during these challenging times and we acknowledge the government requirement for people to wear face masks in airports and on all domestic commercial flights,” he said.

More to come.