Former Socceroos defender Ljubo Milicevic asserts that he has witnessed rampant drug use in AFL circles, claiming that there is a cover-up regarding substance abuse.
In a harsh critique of the league, the provocative Milicevic revealed that AFL players had offered him cocaine in nightclubs across Melbourne.
These shocking statements emerged during an interview with the football magazine Australian Four Four Two, where Milicevic also stated that the AFL is plagued by sexist and racist mindsets, with women and ethnic individuals often treated with scorn and contempt.
“When I returned to Melbourne and was in a nightclub, the first thing an AFL footballer asked me was, ‘do you want a line of coke?’ I replied that I was content with a shot of Agua,” Milicevic recounted from Switzerland.
“I can assure you that there are players using drugs. Why? Because I have connections with the underworld, and I hear things from people I know.
“You can choose to ignore it, but make no mistake, icons in the AFL and NRL are using drugs.
“And then you mask it with PR campaigns about your drug strike policy and attempt to disparage football.
“In our sport, if someone is caught using drugs, they receive a one-year ban without question…so spare us the PR rhetoric; you’re a bunch of bigots. You think you’re above society itself.
“And the manner in which you treat women with complete disrespect is appalling. St Kilda was my team since childhood…I no longer support them because of their behavior.
“And don’t fall for this facade of promoting wogs…the issues (AFL boss Andrew Demetriou) created for Australia’s World Cup bid showed that he sold out.”
An AFL representative responded to the accusations by stating, “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It doesn’t have to be well-informed.”
Milicevic boasts a distinguished career, having captained Australia, played in the European Champions League, and been part of Guus Hiddink’s World Cup qualifying squad in 2005.
However, his latter career years have been marked by controversy and critical viewpoints on societal issues.
His remarkable claims were provoked by Eddie McGuire’s “land of the falafel” remark regarding western Sydney.
“I’m sorry, Eddie, but not all of us are bigots, mate. We don’t all share your views, nor those of your group on The Footy Show,” Milicevic stated.
“Take Sam Newman, for instance. He visits areas (on The Footy Show) populated by many migrants and mocks those less fortunate than himself while some Australians find that amusing.
“It’s perfectly acceptable for him to cruise around in his Lamborghini, looking down at everyone else. I hold no respect for him or any of his crowd.
“And regarding the rugby league Footy Show, they ridicule Mario Fenech. It’s no coincidence that Mario is an ethnic.”
by Buford Balony
