Geelong is the club involved in a controversial deal between the Cats and one of their players which would waive the player's rights and any legal risks for the club in case of future brain injury.
Industry sources confirmed to Zero Hanger early on Thursday that the Cats were the club at the centre of the storm.
The secret deal involved the player, who has a history of concussion, take all legal responsibility going into the future - effectively protecting Geelong from litigation.
The AFL has a spotlight on the concussion issue for current and past players, with a lawsuit among former players building in the background that could severely hit the league financially.
Geelong's deal with the player was made two years ago.
Adding another layer to the story, current AFL Commission chairman Craig Drummond was president of the Geelong board at the time of the deal.
The AFL and AFLPA released a joint statement on the controversial deal, which the Cats have now removed from the player's contract.
"The AFL and AFLPA are aware of a complex and unique case in which a Geelong player was cleared as fit to play following an assessment by an AFL Concussion Panel," it read.
"The player then signed a letter acknowledging the potential risk and sought to waive some potential future legal rights, which was not lodged with or approved by the AFL or the AFLPA.
"Geelong has advised the AFL today that the waiver in the letter will be removed, noting that the player continues to acknowledge potential risks.
"The AFL is satisfied that the letter was not used by Geelong to allow a medically unfit player to return to play.
"The AFL and AFLPA will advise clubs that any proposed arrangements that impact on a player's legal rights and protections will be required to be notified to and approved by the AFL and the AFLPA.
"The AFL and AFLPA are aligned that no arrangements will be approved that seek to solely place the risk on players."
Geelong Football Club also released a statement:
"The club will remove the waiver outlined in the letter, noting that the player continues to acknowledge potential risks," Geelong's statement read.
"At the time, the club was involved in extensive discussions with a player, their family and representative in relation to that player's concussion history.
"Those discussions, including medical advice from the club's chief medical officer and the AFL Concussion Panel, were documented in the letter, signed by the player. No direction was given requiring the player to medically retire.
"The club was not attempting to vary the terms of the AFL standard playing contract, or attempting to avoid its responsibilities under health and safety laws.
"The club's focus throughout the process was providing care and support to the player, with the intention to give the player agency in the decision making process around their own playing career.
"The club always aims to ensure that players are provided with information to enable them to make informed decisions about their careers.
"The Geelong Football Club is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all its players, including ongoing education about the risks of concussion in contact sport."
At this point, Geelong is not set to receive any fine or sanction from the league.
