ASADA has lost its bid to compel Shane Charter and Nima Alavi to appear before the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal, with the Supreme Court ruling on Friday morning that it would not issue subpoenas against the key witnesses.
Justice Croft's decision is a blow to ASADA's case against the 34 players, which is set to commence in the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal on Monday.
ASADA CEO Ben McDevitt said recently that ASADA's case would not rise and fall on whether Charter and Alavi gave evidence at the Tribunal, pointing out that the anti-doping authority could rely on transcripts of their extensive interviews with the pair.
However, Star acknowledged during this week's hearing that it was preferable that Charter and Alavi appear in person at the Tribunal so their evidence could be tested under cross-examination by the players' lawyers.
Star said this week that ASADA's case against the players was essentially that: Charter had sourced the raw materials for the peptide Thymosin Beta 4; Alavi had compounded those materials into an injectable form of Thymosin Beta 4; and sports scientist Stephen Dank had supervised the injection of the banned peptide into the players.
The Anti-Doping Tribunal will sit on Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week and then resume on January 12.
See more at:
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-12-12/asada-loses-witness-bid-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Hird supporters have gained positions on the Essendon board via a social media campaign.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/james-hird-supporters-secure-essendon-board-positions-through-social-media-campaign-20141211-1256f5.html
