The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority are targeting players and officials from the Essendon Bombers, recommending lifetime bans from all sports according to an exclusive report from The Australian.
The Australian claims ASADA officials are after at least seven players from the Essendon Bombers and a number of officials, including the suspended coach James Hird, football manager Danny Corcoran and former performance staff members Dean Robinson and Stephen Dank.
Players deemed guilty of having used performance enhancing drugs would face bans of up to two years, however ASADA is believed to be looking at issuing life bans for those also involved by also issuing supplement trafficking infractions.
ASADA will not issue infringement notices until after the current AFL season concludes (Saturday, September 28).
The Bombers responded to the report by issuing a statement on Thursday afternoon.
“The club understands that there is no factual basis to the story in relation to the issuing of infraction notices at this point in time,” interim CEO Ray Gunston said.
“Due to the ongoing nature of the ASADA investigation the club will not be making any further comment.”
Essendon were recently fined $2 million for their part in bringing the game into disrepute for 2012’s supplement scandal and also lost draft picks while a number of officials were given lengthy sanctions, including Hird’s 12-month ban.
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