Disgraced footy legend Nicky Winmar is facing potential further sanctions after St Kilda called an emergency board meeting to discuss his place in the club's Hall of Fame. The Australian Football League (AFL) is also undertaking a review of his status within the league's Hall of Fame.
Winmar was convicted of assault charges related to an incident on May 14 last year, when he smashed a woman's head against a door during an attack in northern Victoria. Following the guilty verdict, Western Australia authorities ordered the immediate removal of his statue from outside Perth's Optus Stadium.
St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena stated the club is strongly opposed to any form of violence, particularly against women. He confirmed that he is working to convene a board meeting as soon as possible to discuss the matter, although many board members are currently overseas. "Like the AFL, our board needs to think about it and work through it," Dilena told SEN, adding that a decision could be made in the coming hours or days.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon described the league's review as an "ongoing process," emphasizing that violence against women is unacceptable. He noted that the AFL Hall of Fame charter allows for a review if an inductee is convicted of an offense. "There is a process and it's ongoing now," Dillon stated.
The statue removed from Optus Stadium was valued at $100,000. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said the decision to remove the statue was to send a strong message to the community that violence against women is never acceptable.
