AFL to launch review of concussion expert Paul McCrory’s work following plagarism claims

The AFL is launching a comprehensive and independent review of the work and advice of concussion doctor Paul McCrory who for years treated and diagnosed athletes suffering concussions and other serious head injuries.

The AFL told Guardian Australia the review would be undertaken after the league was unable to answer key questions posed to it about concussion research McCrory was said to have led for the governing body, or the evidence he used to inform concussion policies.

The questions were raised earlier this month after McCrory was alleged to have plagiarised the work of another neurology researcher. McCrory has since been accused of further plagiarism, and reportedly apologised, telling the website Retraction Watch that he had requested the papers in question be retracted and the errors “were not deliberate or intentional”. He has not responded to requests for comment from Guardian Australia. He resigned as chair of the Concussion in Sport Group on 5 March amid the allegations of plagiarism.

Following repeated requests for comment and specific questions about McCrory’s involvement in their concussion policies the AFL said in a statement: “The AFL will conduct an independent review of the work, research and advice which has been provided to it by Associate Professor Paul McCrory”.

“The number one priority of our code is to protect the health and wellbeing of all people who participate in our game and so we have made this decision to hold an independent review following a number of revelations in recent weeks of matters of which the AFL was previously unaware,” the statement said.

“These matters include one instance of admitted scientific plagiarism by Associate Professor McCrory and the suggestion of other instances