Four Port Adelaide players have avoided sanction after being spotted at the Australian Olympic Swimming trials without wearing face masks.
Zak Butters, Mitch Georgiades, Ollie Lord and Dylan Williams were investigated after being photographed in the grandstand of Adelaide's State Aquatic Centre on Thursday without masks while the crowd around them complied with the COVID-19 measures.
Port Adelaide issued a statement saying the footballers had been eating and drinking at the time and had subsequently put their masks back on.
It said, while the club would "continue to educate our players and staff" about COVID protocols at indoor events, there'd be no punishment.
"The AFL integrity department's position is that the players were not under the AFL jurisdiction while attending the swimming trials as spectators in their personal time," the club statement read.
"As a result, no sanction will apply."
Port Adelaide football general manager Chris Davies said the club had immediately informed the AFL integrity unity when made aware of the incident, with all four players assisting in the investigation.
"The players had purchased food and beverages earlier and had placed their food and drinks in front of them during the race. Their masks were placed on their laps at the time," Davies said.
"Once they had finished eating and drinking they put their masks back on as required.
"The aquatic centre confirmed today they had COVID officials at the event last night and at no point did they request for our players to put their masks back on."
Davies said the players even provided credit card statements of their food purchases to back-up the timing of the incident.
Georgiades is the only player out of the four currently in the senior team, having made 11 appearances this season.
Rising star Butters has been out with a nerve injury to his left knee since round four, while Lord and Williams are yet to play at AFL level.
The incident comes after arch-rivals Adelaide were fined $50,000 after several Crows players removed their masks during a flight home from Sydney after the round-11 defeat to Richmond.
Port flew out on Friday morning to the Gold Coast for Saturday's clash with the Suns at Metricon Stadium.
Australian Associated Press
