Bombers unwittingly part of a 'pharmacological experimental' workplace: AFLPA Jon Pierik
The Age
July 11, 2013 AFL players boss Matt Finnis has blamed the Essendon Football Club for the supplements scandal, insisting players had no choice but to be part of the "pharmacological experimental" workplace.
The push for the joint investigation by the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority to absolve the players of blame for taking banned substances under a program run by former sports scientist Stephen Dank gathers momentum.
Jobe Watson's recent comments during a television interview that he had been administered what he believed was AOD-9604 through club doctor Bruce Reid, added to suggestions there was a growing bid for the club, coaches and staff to face sanctions, with players escaping punishment.
Players may have also taken Melatonan II, anti-ageing drug TA65, Interleukin 6 and Cerebrolysin.
Finnis said the players had not willingly taken any banned drug.
"Players understand they do have responsibilities under the WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency] code in terms of the way we combat the use of performance-enhancing drugs and ultimately curb cheating," he said.
"But an issue like this is quite complex. We must ensure that ultimate culpability resides with those that are most responsible and the information that has been before me thus far indicates that no players have been willing participants in any kind of activity which is designed to cut corners or to gain an unfair advantage.
"But others ultimately are going to have to ultimately share responsibility for that and the culpability will ultimately lie where the investigation says it should."
There have been suggestions players, even the leadership group, should have questioned more what they were being administered, especially as they had signed waiver forms and confidentiality agreements and were taken to a clinic across the road from their training venue for injections.
But Finnis said on the "information available to me, I am not sure what more players can do".
"From the moment they come into the game, players are told to put their trust and confidence in the experts, the medical advisers, the fitness staff in relation to any kind of supplements that they are going to take. That's because it is quite a complex area," he said.
"I think what the players have done we would expect any prudent responsible player to do and they have relied upon that advice. If they have let down by that, ultimately under the eyes of the WADA code, then the responsibility for that will be sheeted home.
"But let's not forget, these players were placed in an absolutely untenable position where they have been allegedly administered substances which more were not approved for human use. Regardless of whether or not these were performance-enhancing, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture – that no player should ever go to work in a workplace which can be described as pharmacological experimental."
Interviews with ASADA have now been completed, with Essendon senior assistant coach Mark Thompson the last to be questioned last week. Thompson had said his interview was "pretty intense".
Essendon this week held a meeting to update the families of players.
If found guilty, players could face bans of up to two years, while the Bombers face a heavy financial sanction and the loss of premiership points. The two casualties, so far, have been chief executive Ian Robson, and fitness boss Dean Robinson – the latter suspended but on full pay. Dank, who has refused to be interviewed by authorities, denies any wrong-doing.
"I am not going to pre-empt what penalties should apply until we see the investigation but I think the public should be really proud that the players have co-operated, they have been honest, they have been candid and at every step they have co-operated with the investigation," Finnis said.
Bombers president David Evans maintains the peptide AOD-9604 was not performance enhancing, although it is banned by WADA.
The AFL wants the investigation to be completed by mid August, ensuring the finals series can go ahead without threat.
Read more:
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/bombers-unwittingly-part-of-a-pharmacological-experimental-workplace-aflpa-20130710-2pq40.html#ixzz2YfWnnsaMAFL players union boss Matt Finnis says it is important those most responsible for any anti-doping breach at Essendon pay the highest price - and is adamant that should not be the players.
As the investigation into Essendon's supplements use in 2012 continues, Finnis says he doesn't know what more Bombers players could have done to ensure they were doing the right thing under the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-players-association-boss-matt-finnis-says-essendon-players-should-not-be-penalised/story-fndv8gad-1226677283773#mm-breached
