ESSENDON players have been issued with show-cause notices for doping. The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority served the notices on players this afternoon over the club’s 2012 supplements program.
The decision ends a 16-month probe and throws the 2014 AFL season into turmoil.
MORE: BOMBERS LOOKING FORWARD TO HIRD’S RETURN
ASADA has been investigating what Essendon-appointed investigator Ziggy Switkowski described as ‘a disturbing picture of a pharmacologically experimental environment never adequately controlled or challenged or documented within the club”.
Any charges against Essendon players and officials will ultimately be heard by an AFL tribunal, with a maximum two-year ban applicable for a player found to have used a banned drug.
Essendon is expected to challenge ASADA’s findings in the Federal Court.
Bombers chairman Paul Little said in a statement on the club’s website today: “I can confirm we are exploring all legal options for our players in the unlikely event they receive show cause letters from ASADA — we make no apologies for that.”
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan told the Herald Sun tonight in response to the development: “I can’t comment”
Bombers great Tim Watson, father of captain Jobe, said the news was a “real shock” and the players faced a huge challenge to get up for the clash against Melbourne on Sunday — and for the rest of the season.
“How they’re going to do that, I’ve got no idea,” he said on Channel 7.
“What we will know very shortly is there will be some legal action launched by the Essendon Football Club, and what happens after that is anyone’s guess.”
Watson said the saga could drag on for another 2-3 years.
MORE TO COME
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-football-club-players-issued-with-showcause-notices-by-asada-over-2012-supplements-scandal/story-fnelctok-1226952296676
The decision ends a 16-month probe and throws the 2014 AFL season into turmoil.
MORE: BOMBERS LOOKING FORWARD TO HIRD’S RETURN
ASADA has been investigating what Essendon-appointed investigator Ziggy Switkowski described as ‘a disturbing picture of a pharmacologically experimental environment never adequately controlled or challenged or documented within the club”.
Any charges against Essendon players and officials will ultimately be heard by an AFL tribunal, with a maximum two-year ban applicable for a player found to have used a banned drug.
Essendon is expected to challenge ASADA’s findings in the Federal Court.
Bombers chairman Paul Little said in a statement on the club’s website today: “I can confirm we are exploring all legal options for our players in the unlikely event they receive show cause letters from ASADA — we make no apologies for that.”
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan told the Herald Sun tonight in response to the development: “I can’t comment”
Bombers great Tim Watson, father of captain Jobe, said the news was a “real shock” and the players faced a huge challenge to get up for the clash against Melbourne on Sunday — and for the rest of the season.
“How they’re going to do that, I’ve got no idea,” he said on Channel 7.
“What we will know very shortly is there will be some legal action launched by the Essendon Football Club, and what happens after that is anyone’s guess.”
Watson said the saga could drag on for another 2-3 years.
MORE TO COME
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-football-club-players-issued-with-showcause-notices-by-asada-over-2012-supplements-scandal/story-fnelctok-1226952296676
