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AFL confirms receipt of ASADA’s interim report on Essendon supplements

AFL confirms receipt of ASADA’s interim report on Essendon supplements
August 3, 2013

The AFL has confirmed it has received the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's (ASADA) interim report into the supplements program at Essendon Football Club, but has not said when it will make the findings public.

AFL General counsel Andrew Dillon said the AFL will review the evidence to determine what action might be taken according to AFL rules and the anti-doping code.

Dillon said he will now coordinate the response on behalf of the AFL and provide the report to Essendon and the AFL commission for review.

In a statement, Dillon explained "given my responsibilities for issues relating to the AFL Anti-Doping Code, competition integrity and the AFL rules, I will oversee the AFL's response to the interim report and in due course will make the report available to the Essendon football club and the AFL Commission for their review," Dillon said in a statement.

"On behalf of the AFL, I would like to commend ASADA for the thoroughness of their investigation over the past six months.

"Their report consists of more than 400 pages referencing over 13,000 supporting documents, including transcripts of interviews conducted to date with more than 130 witnesses.

"The AFL will continue to review the evidence collected to determine what action (if any) might be taken pursuant to the AFL rules and/or the AFL anti-doping code.

"I note that, with ASADA recently receiving additional investigative powers, the investigation will be ongoing.

"The AFL acknowledges the intense interest in this matter and we will make further statements when appropriate."

Essendon has said it will respond "in due course."

A club statement read "Essendon Football Club acknowledges the announcement by the AFL that they have received the ASADA interim report.

"The Club looks forward to receiving the report and responding in due course."

The Bombers face possible doping bans from ASADA and the league has the option of imposing its own punishments such as removing premiership points, which would end the fourth-placed Bombers' hopes of premiership glory in 2013.

Removing draft picks, suspensions, fines and even stripping captain Jobe Watson of last year's Brownlow Medal are other options for the AFL.

And even if ASADA clears Essendon, the AFL could still punish the club for bringing the game into disrepute.

Earlier this week, former Sport Minister Kate Lundy said she felt "proud" of her actions in releasing the Australian Crime Commission report on its investigation into the widespread use of banned drugs in Australian professional sport as well as links with organised crime.

In an interview with the Australian, Senator Lundy now the Federal Minister for Multicultural Affairs, explained "it's very clear there are some serious problems that relate to the integrity of sport.

"That was the motivation for the ACC's report going public, and I think the rest of it speaks for itself."

Senator Lundy and the ACC report were widely criticised for releasing the report back in February with many saying that the report tarnished all sports and sportspeople.

However, Senator Lundy said she was proud Australian sport was now focused on fixing issues surrounding sport's integrity and performance-enhancing drugs.

1st July 2013 - ESSENDON PLAYERS USED AS HUMAN GUINEA PIGS

20th May 2013 - AUSTRALIAN SPORT DOPING CHANGES INFLUENCING WADA

7th May 2013 - BOMBERS CHAIRMAN APOLOGISES FOR ‘INSTITUTIONAL FAILINGS’

7th February 2013 - DRUGS AND CRIME REPORT ROCKS AUSTRALIAN SPORT


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