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AFL ace suspended after breaching virus protocol via TV interview

Ollie Wines of the Power has been suspended for one-game after breaching the AFL's virus protocol. (Getty Images)
Ollie Wines of the Power has been suspended for one-game after breaching the AFL's virus protocol. (Getty Images)

Port Adelaide star Ollie Wines has been suspended for one-match after breaching the AFL’s coronavirus protocols for a TV interview.

Wines hosted a Channel 7 crew at his home on Wednesday and was interviewed and the video was aired on 7 News Adelaide’s nightly bulletin.

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Among the rules for the AFL return to play was a provision requiring any media interviews to be conducted either on club premises, or online via Zoom or a similar video chat program.

The AFL completed the investigation and handed the Port star a one-game suspension, which means he will miss his team’s Round 2 clash against Adelaide.

Wines has been tested for coronavirus, along with his teammates, and won’t be allowed to return to training until a negative result comes back.

AFL saga follows Benji Marshall debacle

The AFL began investigating Wines just hours after NRL star Benji Marshall was sent home from Wests Tigers training after planting a friendly kiss on the cheek of a Channel 7 reporter as a greeting.

Marshall is awaiting the results of a coronavirus test.

Discussing the incident on Footy Classified, veteran AFL reporter Caroline Wilson said it wasn’t yet certain whether Wines would face a suspension for the gaffe, or would escape with a warning.

“Every player is told — and Ollie Wines has a side-deal with Channel 7 — if you’re going to do an interview, it has to be at the club or via Zoom, or via whatever form of social media,” veteran AFL reporter Caroline Wilson said on Footy Classified prior to the suspension.

“That has been broken.

“Port Adelaide are not happy, they knew about the interview, they didn’t know it was going to happen at Ollie Wines’ house.

“We’re not sure how the AFL is going to respond to this because it’s a moving story.”

With Chris Young - Yahoo Sport Australia