Bombers found not guilty by AFL tribunal

By John Salvado and Roger Vaughan
March 31, 2015, 12:01 pm

The 34 past and present Essendon players involved in the controversial supplements scandal have been found not guilty by the AFL anti-doping tribunal.

The not guilty finding frees up to 18 current Bombers players to line up in Saturday's round one match against Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

Essendon players in 2014. Source: Getty

Three other former Essendon players now at other clubs - Port Adelaide duo Paddy Ryder and Angus Monfries and Western Bulldogs forward Stewart Crameri - can also play in round one.

Australia's peak sports anti-doping body (ASADA) will announce on Wednesday whether it will appeal the tribunal's finding.

"What happened at Essendon in 2012 was, in my opinion, absolutely and utterly disgraceful," ASADA chief executive Ben McDevitt said in a statement on Tuesday.

"It was not a supplements program but an injection regime and the players and the fans were so poorly let down by the club.

"While I am obviously disappointed that the charges in this instance have not been proven to the comfortable satisfaction of the tribunal, I am pleased that the tribunal was able to finally hear these matters."

The not guilty finding by the three-man tribunal was a unanimous one.

"The Tribunal was comfortably satisfied that the substance Thymosin Beta-4 was at the relevant time a prohibited substance under the Code," tribunal chairman David Jones said in a statement.

"The Tribunal was not comfortably satisfied that any player was administered Thymosin Beta-4.

"The Tribunal was not comfortably satisfied that any player violated clause 11.2 of the AFL Anti-Doping Code."

But the tribunal has yet to rule on any alleged violations by former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank.

David Grace, the lawyer representing the Essendon players, said they had received a very fair hearing and were happy with the result.

"We mounted a very strong defence to the case and the result is here today," he said.

Asked about the prospect of any further legal action being launched by Essendon players or officials, Grace said: "I cannot say whether there's going to be any further legal action.

"We're going to see the players now and talk to them.

"I think all they will be interested in is playing on Saturday.

"It is nice to get an outcome for them."

The Bombers were forced to pick makeshift teams during the pre-season competition as the players involved in the supplements case were all provisionally suspended.

Jones said the tribunal's decision and its reasons had been provided to the relevant parties.

"That function does not include the provision of decision and reasons to other persons," he said.

"Any publication of the tribunal's decision and reasons is a matter for the parties."

ASADA will hold a media conference in Canberra on Wednesday.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...uilty-reports/

And now let the litigation begin :S

Is anyone surprised??

AFL tribunal finds AFL players not guilty of doping.

Seems legit.

Finally some justice after two years of disruption. The AFL has some answering to do...and where is Andrew Demetriou? Something about rats and sinking ships.

Everyone knows Collingwood are the only drug cheats in the AFL ;)

appeal to be launched in 3....2.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stone Cold

Finally some justice after two years of disruption. The AFL has some answering to do...and where is Andrew Demetriou? Something about rats and sinking ships.

---

All it means is that the offenses could not be proved. Not that they are innocent. There is more than enough circumstantial evidence for me to call it an absolute disgrace. There was definitely a systematic injection regime at Essendon with scant regard for player welfare or duty of care.
If nothing else comes out of this saga than a drastic rethink of sports science and duty of care then that can only be good.

the players were injected with a substance that no one knows or will say.Surely the club must provide answers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brokendown gunfighter

the players were injected with a substance that no one knows or will say.Surely the club must provide answers.

---

it'll come out. ASADA to appeal with a few 'leaks' methinks.

also what implications does this have for the NRL?

https://twitter.com/rhysam/status/582761846135914496

Breaking news ... Lance Armstrong to hire Essendon's lawyers ...

(Probably should have read Blueandblack's post!) :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jono

it'll come out. ASADA to appeal with a few 'leaks' methinks.

also what implications does this have for the NRL?

---

None. The Sharks were broke and didn't have a CEO at the time let alone 2 grand an hour lawyers. They were offered a deal and they blinked.

WADA to appeal not guilty findings against Essendon

Well it's getting even more confusing isn't it? From my very much layman's view, I thought there was enough circumstantial evidence to prove doping occurred. From what a few of the better investigative journos wrote, the legal Thymosin requires jus one (or a couple of - can't remember) shots. The banned substance needs quite a lot of on going injections. The number and frequency of those at Essendon coupled with the fact that the players were required to travel away from club premises to have them, seemed highly suspicious. Whatever happened, it was very wrong. At worst illegal. At best highly unethical and a complete breach of trust towards the players. Maybe WADA thinks the AFL tribunal erred or perhaps is just reluctant to see them off the hook so easily.