34 Bombers hit with doping notices

AFL 360 panellists Gerard Whateley and Dermott Brereton discuss the repercussions of the show-cause notices handed to Essendon by ASADA.

THIRTY-FOUR Essendon players have been sensationally slapped with legal notices ordering them to show why they should not be cited for doping.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority informed the players they had a case to answer over the club's 2012 supplements program.

ASADA notified the players by text message and instructed them to call the anti-doping body for details about the action being taken against them.

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The dramatic move, which follows a 16-month probe, throws the 2014 AFL season into turmoil.

But Essendon could launch a counter-attack on Friday by seeking a declaration in the Federal Court that the joint AFL-Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation was unlawful.

The pre-emptive court challenge would aim to stop the ASADA action — and any sanctions against players and club staff — in its tracks.

Essendon players have been issued with show cause notices for doping, according to the Herald Sun, 16 months after the probe into the Bombers 2012 supplements program began.

ASADA's case against the players is believed to centre on the use of the peptide Thymosin Beta-4 — a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Players would face bans of up to two years if found guilty of taking prohibited substances.

Essendon chairman Paul Little is in crisis talks with club officials. He is believed to be shattered by the latest development in the long-running saga and will address the media on Friday.

The club issued a statement at 7.27pm saying it is "not in a position to comment on any matter relating to its players and the ASADA investigation".

"The club will continue to act in the best of interest of its players and respect the integrity and confidentiality of this process," the statement said.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority served show-cause notices on Essendon players this afternoon over the club's 2012 supplements program.

Bombers legend Tim Watson, the father of club captain and 2012 Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson, said the players were "shocked" by the latest development.

He indicated Essendon would launch a legal challenge.

"The new AFL CEO, Gill McLachlan, told the CEOs and presidents only last week that they should start preparing themselves for what could be a very bumpy ride," Watson said.

"I think today's news, though, that the players have received show cause notices, would have had a real shock."

McLachlan told the Herald Sun: "I can't comment."

AFL boss Gillon Mclachlan is yet to speak about how the AFL intends to respond to the development. Picture: David Caird.

It's unclear whether show cause notices had been served on players who had left the club since the 2012 season and are now playing at other AFL clubs.

Any charges against Essendon players and officials would ultimately be heard by an AFL tribunal.

Essendon players and their lawyers will have 10 days to respond to the show cause notices by providing reasons why ASADA should not proceed.

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".

Co-operation between ASADA and AFL chiefs ceased last year after an interim report was used as the basis for heavy governance sanctions handed to Essendon and officials, including suspended coach James Hird.

The Essendon Bombers' season appears in disarray after 34 players - yet were issued with show cause notices over the controversial 2012 drugs scandal. Picture: Toby Zerna

Little said in a statement published on the club's website before the show-cause notices were issued: "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."

ASADA has already issued a show cause notice to Essendon's former sports scientist, Stephen Dank, and could yet issue them against other support staff.

Essendon's first legal challenge could be to call on ASADA to show proof of the evidence it has supporting a doping violation.

Lawyers could also argue a defence of "no fault" or negligence, claiming the players had no knowledge of substances administered to them during 2012.

The Essendon scandal erupted on February 5 last year when the Bombers "self-reported" to the AFL and ASADA and asked to be investigated.

Betting giant TAB has suspended betting on Essendon playing in the finals.

michael.warner@news.com.au

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