UPDATE
Port Adelaide has released the following statement after the AFL advised the club that it cannot wear its prison bar jumper in the upcoming Showdown on May 8:
The Port Adelaide Football Club is extremely disappointed with this decision.
“Port Adelaide signed an agreement with Collingwood in 2019 to wear the prison bars guernsey in our 150th anniversary home Showdown in 2020. At the time, both parties were unable to reach agreement regarding ongoing use of the prison bars and therefore deferred consideration for future use to a later point in time. That’s exactly what we have been trying to do for nearly 12 months now,” Mr Koch explained.
“We also note that the AFL has reached today’s decision based on the existing signed agreements in place and refer to the 2019 agreement only. There is no mention of the 2007 agreement also signed by all parties providing Port Adelaide with the option to wear its heritage prison bar jumper once per year in home AFL heritage rounds. Port Adelaide signed that agreement in good faith.”
Mr Koch reinforced Port Adelaide’s request was for Showdowns only.
“We are requesting to wear this guernsey only in Showdowns, to celebrate the heritage of our Club and our contribution to South Australian football. We aren’t asking to wear it as a regular home or away guernsey or even outside of South Australia.
“As we’ve always maintained, the AFL own the intellectual property rights to all AFL clubs, and therefore this is a decision the AFL can make independently in representing what is in the best interests of the game and ALL clubs. This is a decision for the fans, the most important stakeholders in our game. To treat our fans and the heritage of our Club in this way is disappointing.
“A key purpose of the AFL is to protect and nurture the heritage of the game. Heritage makes our game stronger. Anything we can do to strengthen this bond can only build stronger clubs which is good for the game. The AFL cares about heritage and that should include Port Adelaide’s.
“Our frustration sits squarely with the AFL, not Collingwood. We believe our request is reasonable. This issue isn’t just about Port Adelaide. It is about the passion and connection that ALL fans have for their clubs.
“As I’ve said, this issue isn’t going away. It is too important to our people and our Club.”
EARLIER
The AFL has released a statement, officially closing the door on Port Adelaide’s chances of wearing their prison bar guernsey.
The Power wished to wear the heritage jumper in their home showdown against the Crows in Round 8, but received strong opposition from Collingwood.
Read the AFL’s statement below:
The AFL confirms it has not approved the request for Port Adelaide to wear a black and white striped ‘prison bars’ guernsey for the Round 8 match vs Adelaide Crows next week.
After reviewing the request from the Port Adelaide Football Club, the AFL determined the existing signed agreements between the Port Adelaide Football Club, Collingwood and the AFL on the use of the “prison bar” guernsey would remain in place.
In 2019, the AFL, Port Adelaide and Collingwood came to an agreement that allowed one-off approval for the ‘prison bar’ guernsey to be worn in Port Adelaide’s home match against the Adelaide Crows to celebrate the Club’s 150th anniversary.
That agreement, signed by all parties, stipulated the guernsey was specifically approved for Port Adelaide’s use only for that single match in 2020 and Collingwood’s approval did not bind it with respect to any other future proposals by the Port Adelaide Football Club in respect of the guernsey.
Collingwood Football Club has made it clear that, at this time, it does not agree to further use of the guernsey by PAFC including in ‘Showdown’ matches against Adelaide Crows.
On that basis, and consistent with the arrangements that have applied to all previous instances of use of the “prison bar” guernsey by Port Adelaide since the Club joined the AFL (i.e. with the approval of the AFL and Collingwood) the AFL does not grant permission for the guernsey to be worn in Round 8.
The AFL will continue to work with both clubs going forward on any potential future use of the guernsey.