Troubled Nixon goes into rehab

THE teenage sex scandal that has engulfed Ricky Nixon in recent weeks appeared to finally take its toll yesterday when the embattled agent relented and stood down from his role at the helm of his firm and entered rehab for treatment for a “substance abuse problem”.

Nixon returned to Melbourne on Sunday after two weeks in Ireland and London, when he had fled the media storm caused by a 17-year-old schoolgirl who alleged Nixon had a sexual affair with her and had taken cocaine with her.

The girl had previously been at the centre of a major media furore when she published naked pictures of three of the biggest stars in the AFL online.

Nixon represented all three, one of whom, Sam Gilbert, had dated the girl when she was just 16. The girl’s allegations have triggered both police and AFL investigations against Nixon, who could potentially lose his licence as a certified agent in Australia, an outcome which would undoubtedly bring an end to his role in bringing some of the brightest GAA talents Down Under for a tilt at a professional career in the AFL.

As it is though, Nixon has opted to temporarily at least, step aside from day-to-day operations at Flying Start.

“I have returned to Australia having spent the last two weeks overseas, where I had the opportunity to seek help for my personal issues,” he said.

“With the understanding and support of family and close friends, I have decided I will go to a rehabilitation clinic to seek treatment for a substance problem that has impacted on my life and my decision-making,” Nixon said.

“I’m lucky to have the support of my employees and the players that I manage and while I know this time has not been easy for them, I think it is important for both staff and players at Flying Start that I immediately relinquish all responsibilities and activities a player manager would normally undertake. I have full faith in the staff at Flying Start to operate as usual without my involvement.”

How an extended absence might affect some of Nixon’s Irish clients remains to be seen. However the agent has always been a strong vocal supporter of the likes of former Kerry star Tommy Walsh, now a teammate of Gilbert’s at St Kilda, as well as Jamie O’Reilly at Richmond, Zach Tuohy with Carlton and Brisbane’s former Antrim star Niall McKeever. With the 2011 AFL season just a fortnight away, all four, as well as Nixon, look to be heading for uncertain times.