Past and present Essendon Bombers are facing infraction notices in the coming days after being placed on the Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel’s (ADRVP) register of findings.
The 34 past and present Bombers in question can now expect to be issued infraction notices, and subsequent AFL tribunal hearings, as early as Friday for their use of a banned peptide during the 2012 season.
The ADRVP’s move follows the Essendon players’ decision not to respond to ASADA show-cause notices issued in June and October.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon now controls proceedings and must decide whether there is satisfactory evidence to hand out infraction notices.
“AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon will now consider each matter before determining whether to issue infraction notices to the players concerned and to convene hearings of the AFL anti-doping tribunal,” the AFL said Thursday. “Pursuant to the AFL Anti-Doping Code, the AFL cannot make further comment at this time.”
The AFL Players’ Association will cop the infraction notices on the chin, rather than delaying the process further by appealing the register of findings.
“The determination from the Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel was an anticipated outcome and we are pleased that we are a step closer to having this matter finalised,” AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh said.
“We now await the AFL’s decision as to whether or not they’ll issue infraction notices. We hope this decision is made quickly so the process can keep moving.”
Players will have the option of accepting a “provisional suspension”- reduced sentences served before the case is finished, also allowing for players to train during the suspension. Former Saint Ahmed Saad and the Cronulla Sharks accepted recent provisional sentences.
Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.
