A lawyer has slammed Essendon for its “lack of due diligence” in appointing Andrew Thorburn as CEO only to sack him a day later due to his religious beliefs.

It comes after lawyer George Haros, who helped Israel Folau reach a settlement with Rugby Australia, was approached in relation to previous Essendon CEO Andrew Thorburn.

Chris Pollard, senior employment and workplace lawyer at Wisewould Mahony, was quick to criticise Essendon’s handling of hiring the CEO.

“I just think it’s breathtaking in this day and age where the AFL is supposed to be a professional body and a member club has just not done its due diligence,” Mr Pollard told Sam McClure on 3AW’s Wide World of Sports.

Press PLAY to hear the lawyer’s assessment of the hiring and Thorburn’s rights to sue the club