The AFL‘s anti-doping tribunal has cleared all 34 current and former Essendon players involved in the clubs’ drugs scandal of any wrongdoing.
As the Herald Sun reports, today’s tribunal hearing determined that there was insufficient evidence to uphold the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority’s claim that 34 past and present Bombers were given the banned drug Thymosin beta-4 in 2012.
Former Bombers Angus Monfries and Paddy Ryder, who are now playing with Port Adelaide, are included in the group of former Essendon players who have been cleared, as is Western Bulldogs forward Stewart Crameri.
No decision has been made on Stephen Dank, the architect of the Bombers’ 2012 supplements program who has previously said the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) “constructed” the supplements saga.
Today’s decision was revealed in-camera (private) at AFL House this afternoon, but the verdict was swiftly leaked. Tribunal chairman David Jones told the players and their legal representatives the news 785 days after the drugs scandal first began.
The ruling means 18 current Essendon players will be able to play in the season-opener against Sydney on Saturday night.
ASADA have 21 days to appeal today’s verdict. People from all corners of the AFL have already started sharing their thoughts on today’s news via social media. View some of their comments, below.
Remarkable, just remarkable. David Grace QC said its up to ASADA now to appeal. Ball in their court.
— Shane McInnes (@shanemcinnes) March 31, 2015
ASADA have 21 days to appeal the verdict. WADA have 21 days further than that. So, #ASAGA possibly over in 42 days.
— Chris Kaias (@ChrisKaias) March 31, 2015
🙂
— Thomas Bellchambers (@_TommyBell_) March 31, 2015
