http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...rom=public_rss

Several Essendon players and at least one St Kilda player are believed to be under investigation for payments received from an insolvent charity linked to Melbourne Storm.

It has emerged an insolvency firm has discovered third-party payments made to the AFL players and three high-profile Melbourne Storm stars in its probe of the charity's books.

The charity, Unity Foundation, was investigated by NRL officials for its arrangements with Storm not long before the club was hit with huge sanctions for cheating the salary cap.

Kelly Wright, the director of Vince & Associates appointed to investigate Unity Foundation, said the AFL players had been contacted and asked to explain why they were paid by the charity.

"Our investigations have identified some payments to players of Essendon and St Kilda and Melbourne Storm," Wright said.

"We're investigating all payments. We're giving them an opportunity to provide an explanation in relation to those payments."