‘Booze and biff’ part of sporting life Down Under

Off-field scandals continue to plague Australian mainstream sport

Australian sport is truly in a golden era. Rugby union, long the poorer cousin of the 13-man code and Australian Rules football, has received a shot of life with the arrival of the British and Irish Lions this month.

Aussie Rules, the national favourite, is continuing to grow and flourish. Last year, the Australian Football League (AFL) was the fourth-best attended professional sports league on the planet, ranking above the likes of Spain’s La Liga and Major League baseball in the US. Only the powerhouse trio of the English Premier League, the NFL and Germany’s Bundesliga boasted more fan support last season.