The Australian Rules Football League (ARFL) has strengthened its ethical guidelines, implementing new limitations on journalists reporting on Australian Football matches.
Authorized reporters and broadcasters will be forbidden from wagering on games they are assigned to cover.
These regulations commence this coming Thursday, coinciding with the start of the NAB Challenge.
The ARFL will enforce a five-hour “media silence” period, beginning two hours prior to a game and concluding three hours following the final whistle.
“It is noteworthy that if you are working at a game, you are still permitted to place a wager on the match outside of the five-hour timeframe, such as earlier in the week, or before entering the stadium on game day,” the ARFL clarified.
These updated limitations follow apprehensions that certain media personnel could access confidential team data after entering venues, but before the 90-minute cutoff when teams must submit their final rosters to the ARFL.
ARFL personnel are already subject to a ban on betting on matches.
