Magazine - AFL chairman cool on Sydney stadium deal

By Editor in A.F.L on 26th Jun 2009 14:00

AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick says he will exempt himself from any discussions about Sydney's Olympic stadium after buying a major share in the venue.

Mr Fitzpatrick will have a controlling 50 per cent stake in the fund manager ANZ Infrastructure Services, which owns the stadium. The Homebush stadium is critical to the AFL's expansion into rugby league's heartland in western Sydney.

Mr Fitzpatrick says he will take steps to avoid any conflict of interest and his investment will not affect who plays at the stadium.

Mr Fitzpatrick, who led Carlton to two premierships in the 1980s and now chairs the AFL, will be chairman of ANZIS after the buyout, with Mr Clarke remaining as managing director.

Mr Fitzpatrick is also a Rio Tinto director.

He has agreed to absent himself from discussions at ANZIS or the AFL on any issues relating to ANZ Stadium, which regularly hosts AFL matches.

Source & More: www.abc.net.au

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