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Cousins suspended for at least 12 months

AFL commissioner  Mike Fitzpatrick has declared that today is a sad day as the AFL moved to suspend one of their own players. Disgraced West Coast Eagles player Ben Cousins has been suspended until at least 2009. If Ben wishes to play again, he must apply in writing to the AFL Commission and show proof of his complete rehabilitation.  The hearing took over 7 hours where Ben spoke for approximately one hour in his defence. Fitzpatrick declared that Ben was frank and honest in his presentation.

This decision was made taking into account both Cousins medical well being and the integrity of the competition.

Cousins was surrounded by his father, mother and player agent Nixon when he made a statement to the media. Ben stated that he is a "lot further down the track" towards rehabilitation than the media has portrayed. He apologised to the AFL for his behaviour and declared that he was bitterly dissapointed that he cannot play AFL football in 2008.