n AFLCA spokesperson has confirmed James Hird can be sanctioned under the relevant guidelines for alleged and proven personal use of the WADA banned substance Hexarelin.
In a statement to Bound For Glory News, a spokesperson for the AFL Coaches Association indicated that under Section 3 of the AFL’s Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Policy, AFL coaches are listed under ‘Club Officers’ under subsection 3.1 (b).
The spokesperson for the Coaches Association was adamant Hird was bound by the AFL’s Anti-Doping Code.
“As senior coaches, they must adhere to the Rules and Regulations of the AFL. This includes the Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Policy, but also Racial and Religious Vilification Policy, Respect and Responsibility Policy and any others as determined by the AFL.”
In April, News Limited reported Hird was injected numerous times with the WADA-banned substance Hexarelin.
Both former Essenon fitness guru Dean Robinson and sports scientist Stephen Dank have claimed on separate occasions that Hird and other Essendon coaching staff were injected with Hexarelin on multiple occasions, although Hird denies the claims.
There have also been claims that invoices for the drug were processed by Essendon, something the club denies.
Hird has denied these claims he was injected with the banned drug.
Hexarelin is listed as a Schedule 2 banned substance by WADA and ASADA. Punishment for use of a Schedule 2 involves a two-year suspension which can be brought down to six months if a number of conditions, including full co-operation by the athlete or coach in question, are met.
The AFL has been contacted for comment.
More to follow.
http://boundforglorynews.com/aflca-hird-can-be-sanctioned-for-alleged-hexarelin-use/