Embattled Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon has been the subject of a second complaint referred to the league’s head office – and faces being fired as a result.
A club official was allegedly required to intervene in an incident involving Lyon and a man at a bar in Fremantle, Western Australia, several years ago.
The latest revelation comes after the club was reportedly forced to pay a junior office worker after she complained about allegedly being harassed by Lyon at a boozy work Christmas party.
Fremantle president Dale Alcock confirmed to the Herald Sun that Lyon’s alleged interaction with the man at the bar was referred to the league’s integrity unit.
The club has also made moves to replace him as coach with former assistant Peter Sumich over the alleged incidents, news.com.au reported.
Embattled Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon has been the subject of a second complaint being referred to the league’s head office
‘We can confirm that a person has contacted the club in the past week and this was referred to the AFL Integrity Services Unit,’ he said in a statement.
‘[The complainant] subsequently advised the club that he does not wish to take the matter further.’
Mr Alcock said the club would cooperate fully with any investigation.
The AFL did not respond to requests for comment on the action it would be taking as a result of the referral.
Footage of the other alleged incident has reportedly emerged, where Lyon is accused of sexually harassing a young female employee at a Christmas party.
‘What was said was said in private and is on record,’ a source told The Herald Sun.
Lyon, 51, allegedly followed the woman – who was two-months pregnant – around the party while making inappropriate comments, news.com.au reported.
The Fremantle board allegedly discussed Lyon’s future at the club in a meeting on Wednesday, sparking rumours of a Thursday announcement.
Fremantle allegedly investigated a formal complaint from the woman, allegedly paying her $100,000 for settlement including a non-disclosure agreement.
A club official was allegedly required to intervene in an incident involving Lyon and the partner of a woman at a bar in Fremantle, Western Australia (stock image)
Lyon allegedly apologised, but when the woman allegedly continued to be harassed at work by other staff she quit her job at the club.
Her resignation led to another investigation, this time by the AFL’s integrity unit, which concluded no further sanctions were necessary.
That investigation left the woman feeling ‘humiliated’ and has been called a ‘sham’, according to The Herald Sun.
Lyon has refused to comment on the allegations, other than to say Fremantle acted within the AFL’s respect and responsibility policy.
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