EP Football - PLFL, GFFL, MWFL, FWFL, EEFL

[Media Park]

What's Media Park's take on all this?

"No comment."

[ravendale rulz]

Oh dear....

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/d ... 1xu5p.html

Lutz Mueller is a local pastor, junior coach and vice-chairman of Port Lincoln Football League's junior delegates.

I formally make a statement regarding todays news releasing information regarding young players in the Port Lincoln Football League, particularly at Boston Football Club being paid with drugs.

I received this information in confidentiality as a Pastor and my concern herewith is to protect the youth of our community from these sort of situations continuing. I intend to protect our youth as a Pastor. I make note that I am not acting on this issue as a Junior Coach or a League Delegate, but as a Pastor. My intentions are simply to give our youth the opportunity to live life and be free of drugs.

I was given this sensitive information in mid-March well prior to the start of football training and I took it to Rob Muecke and to the Port Lincoln Police. It was then several weeks before Rob made contact to me. He informed me that he had made contact with Robin Rowsell of the PLFL and with Doug McFarlane of Boston Football Club. Rob informed me then that Doug McFarlane indicated that there had been an issue in the past but it had been addressed. Rob told me that if I wanted anything further to be done I would have to come out with more information.

I approached Mark Cooper on 17th April and informed him as well of the situation. He informed me that he would be having a meeting with Robin Rowsell and Luke Schrappel, the junior development officer. I did offer to be present at the meeting but he raised some concerns of his own and that he was happy to handle this meeting on his own.

I heard no more of this situation until 24th April when I attended the league rooms on request of my president to help with completing some clearances for play when I was approached by Robin Rowsell. She said to me that she’s heard these allegations and knows the source. She said that I am the source and that these are quite serious allegations. She also said to me if they are such serious allegations why have I not informed the police. I assured her that the police had been informed right from the very start of my concern. Robin then requested the names of the youth. I informed her that I would support an independent investigation and that I would cooperate, but my first and foremost concern is the protection of these young men involved.

I reiterate to all concerned that there needs to be an independent inquiry into this allegation for the sake of the PLFL, Boston Football Club and all the local football clubs. I express my full concern that this investigation is of utmost importance to protect the youth rising up through these channels and to give each of them the opportunity to participate in their sport without threat. It is my cry that we as a community must say no to drugs. We must protect our youth and allow them to flourish in a drug free atmosphere as they pursue their talents and potentially continue on to AFL.

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I say that we as a community are not willing to stand down and tolerate our youth being enticed with drugs. It is time to develop a zero tolerance to drugs.

As expressed already in the press I will be raising the matter at the junior delegates meeting tomorrow night as was always my intention.

Thank you

Lutz Mueller

[OnSong]

Inspector Scott Denny, Acting Officer in Charge, Eyre and Western Local Service Area said, "Port Lincoln police have thoroughly investigated claims that football players at one the town's club had been supplied drugs by a local man.
There is no evidence to substantiate any of these claims.
Reports that young players are being enticed to play football in return for drugs are completely unfounded.
Police warn that claims made without substance, especially in a rural communities, can have a negative impact on people's reputations and livelihoods.
Police are now working with the club and other stakeholders to facilitate and mediate an appropriate outcome between all parties

[ravendale rulz]

Inspector Scott Denny, Acting Officer in Charge, Eyre and Western Local Service Area said, "Port Lincoln police have thoroughly investigated claims that football players at one the town's club had been supplied drugs by a local man.
There is no evidence to substantiate any of these claims.
Reports that young players are being enticed to play football in return for drugs are completely unfounded.
Police warn that claims made without substance, especially in a rural communities, can have a negative impact on people's reputations and livelihoods.
Police are now working with the club and other stakeholders to facilitate and mediate an appropriate outcome between all parties

The damage has already been done

[westcoastpanther]

I hope Mr Mueller has a good lawyer.....

[Mark Dreher]

I hope Mr Mueller has a good lawyer.....

Gods on his side mate, he will be able to clap this issue away happily.

[coyote ugly]

Lutz owned insulation matters. It went bust. He has no money

[OnSong]

Lutz owned insulation matters. It went bust. He bankrupt

Ack!

[heater31]

Where to now??

How did this get released to the national media outlets?

[Old Son]

[OnSong]

From my point of view, no one in their right mind would make such accusations without some form of proof behind them, although the statement from the police seems to counter that at this stage.

[tiger08]

From my point of view, no one in their right mind would make such accusations without some form of proof behind them, although the statement from the police seems to counter that at this stage.

hit the nail on the head

[Ken Whelan Fan]

This individual has not only made accusations against one person but then gone on to
name Doug Mcfarlane,Rob Muecke,Boston Fc,Coops,PLFL, Robin Rowsell etc.
I reckon he is in more poo than a plumber.

[tiger08]

unfortunately KWF some individuals can say whatever bullsh*t they like in public without repercussions as will probably be the case again unlike Matthew Rendell.

[leonidis]

This individual has not only made accusations against one person but then gone on to
name Doug Mcfarlane,Rob Muecke,Boston Fc,Coops,PLFL, Robin Rowsell etc.
I reckon he is in more poo than a plumber.

With nothing to lose and the amount of time that surpased, this individual obviously felt he wasnt taken seriously by these mentioned names. was it just swept under the plfl carpet or just hoped his issue would just go away kenwhelanfan?
Something will be done about it now

[coyote ugly]

We had chanell 7 , 9 and ABC news here today.

Storm in a tea cup.

[Ken Whelan Fan]

CU your not hiding something are you
Will this guy now resign his position from the PLFL ?

[coyote ugly]

Like what?

[ravendale rulz]

Its a pity media park will not make a comment.. He always posts on this thread. We put up with his bullshit all the time and when we actually want to hear something from him he goes and buries his head in the sand.
Going to be a big week or 2 in pl footy

[ravendale rulz]

Latest story

.....

Earlier today, Lutz Mueller, a Port Lincoln pastor and vice-chairman of the Port Lincoln Junior Football League delegates, made a statement about his claims.

"I formally make a statement regarding today's news releasing information regarding young players in the Port Lincoln Football League.... being paid with drugs," he said.

"I received this information in confidentiality as a Pastor and my concern herewith is to protect the youth of our community from these sort of situations continuing.

"I intend to protect our youth as a Pastor. I make note that I am not acting on this issue as a junior coach or a league delegate, but as a pastor.

"My intentions are simply to give our youth the opportunity to live life and be free of drugs.

"I was given this sensitive information in mid-March, well prior to the start of football training and I took it to Rob Muecke (a league board member) and to the Port Lincoln Police.

"It was then several weeks before Rob made contact to me. He informed me that he had made contact with Robin Rowsell of the PLFL and with (the president of the implicated club).

"Rob informed me then that (the club president) indicated that there had been an issue in the past but it had been addressed. Rob told me that if I wanted anything further to be done I would have to come out with more information.

"I approached Mark Cooper (junior delegates chairman) on 17th April and informed him as well of the situation.

"He informed me that he would be having a meeting with Robin Rowsell and Luke Schrappel, the junior development officer.

"I did offer to be present at the meeting but he raised some concerns of his own and that he was happy to handle this meeting on his own.

"I heard no more of this situation until 24th April when I attended the league rooms on request of my president to help with completing some clearances for play when I was approached by Robin Rowsell.

"She said to me that she's heard these allegations and knows the source. She said that I am the source and that these are quite serious allegations. She also said to me if they are such serious allegations why have I not informed the police.

"I assured her that the police had been informed right from the very start of my concern.

"Robin then requested the names of the youth. I informed her that I would support an independent investigation and that I would cooperate, but my first and foremost concern is the protection of these young men involved.

"I reiterate to all concerned that there needs to be an independent inquiry into this allegation for the sake of the PLFL, (the club involved) and all the local football clubs.

"I express my full concern that this investigation is of utmost importance to protect the youth rising up through these channels and to give each of them the opportunity to participate in their sport without threat.

"It is my cry that we as a community must say no to drugs. We must protect our youth and allow them to flourish in a drug free atmosphere as they pursue their talents and potentially continue on to AFL.

"I say that we as a community are not willing to stand down and tolerate our youth being enticed with drugs. It is time to develop a zero tolerance to drugs.

"As expressed already in the press I will be raising the matter at the junior delegates meeting tomorrow night as was always my intention."

Ms Rowsell confirmed the allegations had been raised about three weeks ago.

She said she reported the claims to police on Friday.

Port Lincoln police yesterday said they were not aware of the allegations and would investigate.

The South Australian National Football League also has not been advised of the claims, despite junior football leaders in Port Lincoln knowing of the claims for at least two weeks.

A young indigenous player in the league is understood to have spoken of the deal to be supplied marijuana in return for playing for a side in the under-17 competition.

The coach at the centre of the allegations could not be contacted last night.

At least three key football leaders in the district say they have knowledge of the allegations and some evidence to support the claims, which include:

A NUMBER of indigenous youths playing in the association's under-17s competition being provided marijuana by a coach as an incentive to play in his team.

PLAYERS as young as nine using marijuana.

A YOUNGSTER developing an addiction after being lured from one club to another by the incentive.

A text message intercepted by club officials is understood to add weight to the claims.

Mrs Rowsell said the club at the centre of the allegations had conducted an internal investigation and she assumed there would be a police investigation because it had been reported to police twice in the past fortnight.

"It has been mentioned to the chairman of the junior committee," she said.

"It is in the hands of police. I reported it to police on Friday ... I wanted to show that the Port Lincoln Football League is taking the allegations seriously."

Mrs Rowsell said the league had been "trying to sort it out" but she had "no idea" of the outcome of the club's internal investigation.

"If the allegations are proven, it's horrific," she said.

SANFL general manager of football and corporate operations Darren Chandler said the SANFL had not been made aware of the situation but the allegations were very serious and of great concern.