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INPHO/James Crombie
Rocky Road

Ricky Nixon 'in England', may not come to Ireland at all

Friends worried about Aussie Rules agent’s state of mind as he ponders next move.

RICKY NIXON MAY not be in Ireland as has been reported since his departure from Australia last week.

The AFL super-scout is currently the subject of sordid allegations by a 17-year-old girl.

The AFL Players Association has launched an investigation into the alleged ‘affair’ with the teenager who is at the centre of the St Kilda Football Club nude photo scandal.

He left Australia last week at the height of the controversy and was thought to be in this country ahead of the Sigerson Cup weekend. He has used the inter-varsity tournament to spot potential Aussie Rules stars in the past.

But friends have revealed that the scout, who lured high-profile GAA players like Tommy Walsh Down Under, is actually in England.

Today’s Sydney Morning Herald reports that he might not travel to Dublin for the Belfield event at all. The newspaper writes: “Close friends of Nixon yesterday said he was in England and might not even head to Ireland, as had been reported, to peruse Gaelic football talent.

One friend said his mood was ‘up and down’ as he contemplated what to do next.

Karl O’Kane of the Irish Daily Star however was spoken to Nixon – and reports that he is in Ireland.

The Melbourne-based newspaper The Age says that Nixon is unhappy with how he has been depicted in the media and that he only wanted to help the girl.

”It’s unfair how I’ve been portrayed by people who don’t know the facts,” he is quoted as saying.

AFL clubs are said to be ‘frustrated’ with Nixon’s absence as they seek to tie down their top players before the league’s kick-off. Speculation continues to mount that he will sell his stake in the Flying Start management company.

Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday adjourned the charge of using a mobile phone while driving earlier because Nixon is abroad. His case is due to return to court on April 1.

Read the background to Nixon’s recent problems>