The latest AFL footballer to hit the headlines for the wrong reasons is Andrew Lovett who has been sacked by St Kilda after being charged with rape.

The Saints recruited Lovett from The Bombers in October last year, but are now washing their hands completely of him as he faces charges of rape. He has not even played for them yet.

He will appear in court this Friday for the incident which is alleged to have taken place on Christmas Eve last year. The woman has accused him of sexual assault while she slept in an apartment Port Melbourne.

The AFL and the AFL Players Association have not made any comment as yet.