New twist in AFL sex scandal

Ricky Nixon. Photo / Supplied

AFL player manager Ricky Nixon and teenager Kim Duthie have both gone to ground as debate rages over the girl's credibility following an admission she lied about a key part of her story.

Neither Nixon nor Duthie, who can now be named following the end of a court suppression order, had returned phone calls or made statements to the media yesterday.

The strategy came despite Nixon telling the Age newspaper he would turn up for work as normal after returning from a trip to Ireland on Sunday night.

Duthie, who was responsible for earlier publishing naked photos of St Kilda AFL players Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo on the internet, has made numerous claims against footballers. On several occasions Duthie claimed she was pregnant with twins to St Kilda player Sam Gilbert. She had claimed that one twin miscarried and the other was stillborn.

But in an interview that reportedly earned the teenager a five-figure sum, she told Channel Nine's 60 Minutes programme on Sunday that she had lied about the pregnancy and owed Gilbert an apology.

"I was a stupid immature little teenager ... [but] I don't think I owe anyone an apology other than Sam," she said.

The admission has thrown into question Duthie's credibility, with the teenager also claiming she had a sexual relationship with Nixon at a hotel room paid for by the St Kilda club.

Nixon left to travel to Ireland soon after Duthie released a video that purported to show him on her bed in a hotel room dressed in his underwear.

Duthie also claims the pair used cocaine and alcohol in the room.

Nixon has strongly denied ever having a sexual relationship with the teen or using drugs in her presence.

In other developments AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou told Fairfax radio he already suspected Duthie had lied about claims she was pregnant but said he chose not to say anything out of respect for her welfare.

"There have been a number of occasions whereby this young girl has said things that have proven to be incorrect," he said.

Spokesman for the AFL Players' Association Ben Hart said there had been a "high level of speculation" the girl had lied about the pregnancy but the association had no view on the matter. The association has launched an inquiry into Nixon's relationship with Duthie, with lawyer David Galbally QC due to hand down his findings on Friday.

Nixon could lose his accreditation if it finds he breached his obligations as a player manager.

- AAP