Player agent Nixon suspended for two years - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Player agent Nixon suspended for two years

By Mike Hedge 24/03/2011 07:41:02 PM Comments (0)

The career of disgraced AFL player agent Ricky Nixon is in ruins following the suspension of his right to act on behalf of footballers and manage their affairs.

In the first action of its kind in the history of the Agents' Accreditation Board, Nixon's accreditation was suspended for two years over his "inappropriate personal relationship" with a 17-year-old girl who had made a series of allegations against players he represented.

The girl filmed Nixon in a hotel room dressed only in his underpants and claimed the pair were in an ongoing sexual relationship and had taken drugs together.

The suspension came after Melbourne QC David Galbally made damning findings against Nixon, 47, after investigating his relationship with the girl, Kim Duthie.

Galbally found Nixon had lied to players he represents about his relationship with Duthie, that he lacked integrity and had generally failed to meet the requirements of an accredited player agent.

The Board found specifically that Nixon had:

* entered into an inappropriate personal relationship with a young person who had been in conflict with players for which he acted;

* acted in a manner contrary to the interests of players for whom he acts and;

* misrepresented to players for whom he acts the nature of the relationship.

As other agents inevitably start the manoeuvring around Nixon's star-studded client list, the man at the centre of the unseemly scandal remained unapologetic.

Asked whether Nixon had expressed remorse, Accreditation Board chairman Ian Prendergast said he had expressed only disappointment.

"So it's fair to assume there was no apology made," Prendergast said.

Prendergast said also that although Nixon could no longer represent players, his company Flying Start and any other accredited agents working under the same banner were free to continue in business.

In the unlikely event they would want him to, Nixon can continue to represent coaches Rodney Eade and Brett Ratten.

The affair which has rocked the AFL began when Duthie accused St Kilda player Sam Gilbert of fathering twins she falsely claimed to be carrying.

Duthie later stole nude photographs of St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt and Nick dal Santo and posted them on the internet, claiming she had taken them while in a hotel room with the players.

Riewoldt and dal Santo are among 45 players represented by Nixon, who was one of the first people Duthie contacted in relation to the pregnancy she later admitted had been a lie.

Through his lawyers Nixon slammed the decision and the investigation.

"Our client is not surprised, but is greatly disappointed by the decision as he believes the Board's process and investigation ... has been completely flawed," a statement from the lawyers said.

Nixon also believes his penalty is excessive and fails to take into account his significant contribution to the AFL in general and the accredited agents sector.

"Our client is of the view that he has always acted in the best interests of the players he represents and has done so to the best of his abilities," the statement read.

Nixon's lawyers said the Board had failed to address a number of matters they had put before it and that an appeal was being considered.

In a series of Tweets posted following the decision, Duthie wrote: "You lose Ricky" and "2 years. Not good enough. Life is more appropriate."

She also said a Victoria police investigation is continuing into Nixon.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou accepted the board's finding and agreed Nixon's accreditation should be revoked.

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