Essendon Football Club wishes to advise chief executive officer Xavier Campbell has tested positive to COVID-19.

Campbell has not attended the NEC Hangar since last Wednesday, and has had no direct contact with the club’s football program under the AFL’s football department protocols.                                                                       

Campbell developed mild symptoms on Monday afternoon and immediately got tested. The positive result was confirmed on Tuesday morning.

Fully vaccinated, Campbell is now isolating and will continue to follow the Victorian Government guidelines and quarantine protocols.

Campbell said he was in reasonable health considering the result of the test.  

“I experienced very mild symptoms on Monday afternoon and out of caution, got tested which has since returned a positive result. My family and I are now isolating as we await all results,” Campbell said.

“We’ve seen similar examples with other clubs in recent days, and it is a reminder of the importance of being vaccinated and getting tested as soon as symptoms present themselves.

“These measures in our community are in place for a reason as life returns to some form of normal for us all, and it is our shared responsibility to follow the advice in place from health and medical officials.

“Per Government advice, I have immediately contacted any individuals who I have been in direct contact with over the past 48 hours, advising them to be tested.

“Importantly, our football program has not been impacted and can continue training as normal. I will continue to work from home throughout my quarantine period.”  

As a precautionary measure, Essendon has asked all administration to be tested and await a negative result before returning to the office.