From the same article by Robbo ...If a decision is made to take action, players would then be issued with “show cause’’ letters and given 10 days to make submissions before the Anti-Doping Rules Violation Panel ruled on their guilt.
The AFL would then decide what penalties - if any - to impose. That process is expected to take months.
One of the key hurdles ASADA will have to overcome is the circumstantial evidence surrounding Essendon’s use of Thymosin.
In a text message discovered by ASADA, sports scientist Stephen Dank tells former Essendon fitness boss Dean “The Weapon’’ Robinson in August 2011: “Don’t forget how important Thymosin is. This is going to be our vital cornerstone next year.
“It is the ultimate assembly regulatory protein and biological modifier.”
In another text to Robinson, Dank states: “Thymosin is so effective in soft-tissue maintenance.”
The AFL charge sheet against Essendon alleged the texts were evidence “Dank was referring to Thymosin Beta-4” because only the banned type of Thymosin aids in “tissue regeneration and recovery functions’’.
But Dank has denied giving Thymosin Beta-4 to any Bombers players and claims he was referring to the legal variant in the texts.
He has not given an interview to ASADA.
Whether bans could be pursued over AOD-9604 use is also unclear.
In its Drugs In Sport report last year, the Australian Crime Commission determined it was not banned.
But the World Anti-Doping Agency has consistently stated AOD-9604 was illegal from January 2011.
ASADA investigators conducted interviews with every player on Essendon’s 2012 list in April and May last year.
All Essendon players signed medical consent forms at the start of 2012 in the belief the drugs they were being given were approved by WADA.
The maximum penalty for doping is a two-year ban, but given the unique circumstances surrounding the supplements program, any players found guilty would expect to get significant discounts.
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The full list of substances allegedly used by Essendon players in 2012, according to ASADA:Amino acids: Molecules that can build muscle, improve performance, help recovery.
Amino-Bol: Muscle-building supplement for workouts.
AOD-9604: Anti-obesity peptide used to increase power and rehabilitate soft-tissue injuries.
Arginine: Amino acid that helps heal wounds.
Caffeine: Stimulant of the central nervous system.
Cerebrolysin: Experimental peptide made from pig brain, and given to Alzheimer’s and stroke patients as it is said to improve cognitive performance.
Coenzyme: Used to treat muscle pain.
Colostrum: Derived from cow’s milk. Increases strength and endurance, builds muscle mass.
Comfrey: Herbal cream used for cuts, wounds and bruising.
Creatine: Bodybuilding supplement that provides energy to the muscles and helps recovery.
D-Ribose powder: Carbohydrate molecule that helps recovery and increases energy.
Glycogen: Substance deposited in bodily tissues as a store of carbohydrates.
Glutamine: Tasteless substance that reduces muscle breakdown.
Glutathione: Antioxidant that helps increase strength and endurance.
HMB: Bodybuilding capsules or powder supplement.
Humanofort: Supplement that encourages muscle growth.
Hydration shots: Electrolyte energy tablets
Interleukin: Helps regulate immune system
IV immune boost: Intravenous therapy that delivers vitamins, minerals and amino acids to the body
Last-Away: Antioxidant drink that helps fight fatigue and boost performance
Melibol: Branched chain amino acids designed to assist soft-tissue repair and recovery.
MP50: Weight-gaining, mass-increasing protein milk supplement.
Multi-vitamins: Supplements used for overall health.
Nitrovol: Pre-and post-workout powder shake used to build and refuel muscles.
Platelet-rich plasma: Injections of a players’ own blood used to treat musculoskeletal injuries.
Protein: Powder supplement used to build muscle and assist recovery.
Thymomodulin: Peptide derived from thymus glands of young calves. Helps boost the immune system. Not banned.
Thymosin: Peptide that assists muscle regeneration. The banned Thymosin Beta 4 is often used on racehorses.
Traumeel: Used in treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.
Tribulus: Herbal extract used for erectile dysfunction and low libido. Increases testosterone levels.
Ubiquinol: Anti-oxidant that helps increase energy.
Ubiquinone: Anti-oxidant that helps increase energy.
Vitamin D: Improves bone strength and muscle function.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/thirteen-months-after-the-drugs-in-sport-scandal-broke-12-afl-players-are-still-looking-for-closure/story-fni5f6kv-1226842446681
