AFL great Carl Ditterich charged with child sex offences

Carl Ditterich, a former Australian Rules Football (AFL) player and coach, was charged with multiple child sex offenses by Victoria Police in March 2023. The charges stem from an alleged incident that occurred in 1985.

Ditterich, who played for North Melbourne Football Club between 1977 and 1984, was a key forward and center half-forward for the team. He kicked a total of 222 goals during his career and was a member of North Melbourne's premiership team in 1977. After retiring from playing, he went on to coach various football teams, including North Melbourne's reserves and the South Melbourne Swans.

The charges against Ditterich came to light following an investigation by Victoria Police's Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOTAT). The alleged victim, who was a minor at the time of the incident, came forward and reported the offense to police.

The charges against Ditterich include indecent assault and sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16. He was arrested and charged on March 23, 2023, and was granted bail with strict conditions. The conditions include not contacting the alleged victim or any witnesses and not entering certain areas where children may be present.

Ditterich's legal team issued a statement denying the allegations and expressing their client's intention to fight the charges. The statement read, "Mr. Ditterich vehemently denies these allegations and intends to defend these charges vigorously."

The AFL released a statement expressing their concern for the welfare of children and their commitment to supporting anyone who comes forward to report abuse. The statement read, "The AFL takes all allegations of this nature extremely seriously and will continue to work closely with Victoria Police and other relevant authorities to ensure the welfare of children is prioritized."

The case is currently before the courts, and further details of the allegations have not been made public to protect the identity of the victim. The AFL and the football community are closely monitoring the situation and offering support to those affected by child sexual abuse.