ASADA says it won’t be rushed after Essendon players in doping saga won’t respond to show cause notices News Corp Australia
October 23, 2014 6:23PMASADA has told the AFL Players’ Association and its lawyers it won’t be rushed into expediting the case against the 34 players issued with show-cause notices.
In a blunt response, ASADA chief executive Ben McDevitt issued a statement on Thursday evening saying all parties — including the AFLPA who earlier in the day urged a fast outcome to the ongoing saga — needed to follow the due process.
He also gave a backhander to Essendon and the players involved, saying he wished the keen interest in player welfare had been present in 2012 — an obvious pointer to the supplements scandal that first led to the Bombers self reporting in February last year.
“In the six months I have been at ASADA I have had the club, the coach, the AFL Players’ Association, various other legal entities, plus other interested parties all voice their views as to the management of these matters,” McDevitt said.
“While all claim to represent the interest of the players and/or Australian sport, the advice as to remedial actions varies dramatically.
“In my role as protector of clean athletes in Australia, my advice to them is that if they want to act in the best interest of the players they should review the 12,000 pages of evidence and follow the due process.
“I only wish that such interest in player welfare had been present in 2012.”
The ASADA statement also wished to “remind the players’ lawyer” that any demand to fast-track the process were within the control of the AFL, and not ASADA.
Earlier today, Essendon players being represented by the AFL Players’ Association-led legal team said they did not intend to respond to the show cause notices reissued to them by ASADA last week.
Lawyers for the players reviewed the summary of evidence provided by ASADA then met with the players, who reaffirmed their commitment to seek “an expeditious process” to clear their names.
It means the supplements matter is almost certainly headed to the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal, which is likely to sit in December, meaning a verdict could be handed down before Christmas.
The players’ decision not to respond was expected.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon will review the evidence against the players and decide whether to issue infraction notices.
AFL Players’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh said the players’ lawyers have informed ASADA and the AFL that the players do not intend to respond to the show cause notices and requested that ASADA expedite the process by bringing the matter before the Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel within seven days.
“In the event that ASADA is not able to meet that timeline, ASADA has been requested to simultaneously provide the AFL General Counsel and the players’ legal team with all the documentation and evidentiary material it has in this matter so that the matter can be dealt with in accordance with the AFL Anti-Doping Code,” he said.
“We urge ASADA to take all necessary steps to accede to the players’ request for this matter to be fast-tracked.”
“This process has already taken up 21 months — about half the average AFL player’s career. The prospect that players would have to endure a third season with these proceeding hanging over their head is simply unacceptable.
“The players want this matter resolved quickly and fairly. It is time to bring this matter to an end.”
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