Essendon chairman David Evans says AOD-9604 is not a performance-enhancing drug Sam Landsberger
From: Herald Sun
July 04, 2013 5:46PMESSENDON chairman David Evans says experts have declared AOD-9604 is not a performance-enhancing drug and wants speculation about possible club and player sanctions canned until the ASADA investigation is completed.
But Evans conceded the Dons are still “not fully aware” of what took place at Windy Hill last year.
In a video on the club website, Evans said the club “strongly rejected” calls for Jobe Watson to be stood down and have his Brownlow Medal stripped.
“We are particularly concerned that our players are being denied due process,” evans said.
“Whether the substance was AOD-9604, and further, whether it was a prohibited substance last year, are questions that can only be answered after the ASADA-AFL investigation is completed.”
Evans also rubbished speculation the Bombers were still deriving on-field benefits from their controversial supplements program from last year.
“Expert opinions have been sought by the Essendon Football Club into the effects of AOD-9604 and our medical and pharmacological advice is that even if the players were given AOD-9604 last year, it is not a performance-enhancing substance and it certainly would not have a carry-forward effect into this year.”
But former ASADA chairman Richard Ings poured cold water on Evans’ statement, tweeting: “Read damn rule” moments after the video went live.
WADA has confirmed AOD-9604 is banned under the S0 category, as it has not been approved for human use.
“It is very important to state that new information is still being uncovered about what may have occurred at the club in the 2012 season, including actions by people external to our club,” Evans said.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-chairman-david-evans-says-aod-9604-is-not-a-performance-enhancing-drug/story-fndv8gad-1226674473793
