Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says the AFL Commission has put mates ahead of governance in its handling of the Essendon supplements scandal.

Kennett, a regular critic of the league’s administration, has weighed in after the wife of suspended Essendon coach James Hird accused the AFL of threatening her husband.

Tania Hird claimed on Wednesday that the league’s chief executive Andrew Demetriou knew that Essendon was paying her husband while he serves a 12-month suspension over the scandal.

News Ltd has run a series of stories over the past week relating to the Bombers’ supplements scandal, which remains under an anti-doping investigation.

“I hold the AFL Commission absolutely responsible for the administration of their code,” Kennett told 3AW on Thursday.

“You have a board in a company, they are responsible for the CEO.

“They’re responsible for governance and they’ve been involved in this in such a terrible way where they’ve put governance as a second or third order over mates.”

There are unconfirmed reports that Demetriou will release a statement later on Thursday.

He was adamant last week that Essendon was not paying James Hird while he served his suspension.

Essendon has refused to comment on the matter.

“Of course he’s being paid, that was the deal,” Tania Hird said.

“Andrew Demetriou knew it, the AFL knew it.

“In my opinion, it’s time for the AFL to stop threatening my husband, it’s time for them to stop threatening the club, and it’s time for them to stop distorting the truth.

“Their behaviour this year has been appalling.”