Fremantle have called a media conference with under-fire coach Ross Lyon and the AFL club’s bosses.
Lyon, president Dale Alcock and chief executive Steve Rosich will front the media on Friday at 2.30pm AEST.
Lyon’s future has been up in the air after he was named as the Fremantle official at the centre of the sexual harassment storm engulfing the club.
Pressure on him intensified on Thursday when it was revealed the club had referred a second complaint to the AFL’s integrity unit.
Reports named Lyon as the official at the centre of that complaint as well.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed on Friday that the league will not investigate that incident because the man has since withdrawn his complaint.
Fremantle have called several emergency board meetings over the past week, with rumours rife that Lyon’s job is in jeopardy.
It has even been reported that former assistant Peter Sumich is being lined up to take over from Lyon.
But before the snap media conference was called, Fremantle great and current board member Peter Bell said Lyon’s short-term future was secure.
When asked whether Lyon’s job was in jeopardy in the short term, Bell told the ABC on Friday morning: “No it’s not is the short answer I can give you on that question.”
Fremantle were dealt another blow on Thursday when it was revealed club champion Brad Hill is being investigated by police for not following a police move-on notice and for giving a false name during a night out last Sunday.
Hill’s consumption of alcohol on the night also broke the team’s policy for injured players.
McLachlan also said on Friday morning he had not spoken to Fremantle about any integrity issues in the last 48 hours.
He was asked if Lyon’s job was becoming untenable.
“I don’t believe so, I don’t have any other information,” McLachlan told 3AW.
“What happens is, the board would be assessing the different information.
“But based on the issue that’s been discussed over the last weeks, all the information was investigated and placed before the Fremantle board.
“They’ve made a decision based on that, he’s going to be their coach – I don’t have anything beyond that.”
