THE PROBE into the use of performance enhancing drugs in Australian sport has reportedly claimed its first official victim, and as many as 14 players from rugby league club Cronulla are allegedly implicated in the sting.
News Limited has reported the 14 players are facing immediate suspension in a major blow to the code, which is set to kick off on Thursday night with the season-opening clash between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney.
Sports scientist Stephen Dank, who has been at the centre of the ongoing investigation being carried out by the Australian Crime Commission and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, briefly worked with the Sharks in 2011.
Dank then spent last season with Essendon before leaving at the end of 2012 and has vehemently denied administering any banned substance to any player during his time working with AFL or NRL clubs.
AFL.com.au is not suggesting Dank provided players with banned substances and is not suggesting any Essendon players have used a banned substance.
An Essendon spokesperson said: "We don't make comments about other sporting clubs.
"The AFL and ASADA investigation is underway and we are fully cooperating. We have also launched our own independent and external review of our governance and practices.
"Out of respect to the process and the integrity of both the investigation and the review, we are not in a position to comment."
Bookmakers have suspended all Sharks-related markets, with the club set to commence its 2013 campaign against the Gold Coast on Sunday.
"Sharks fans and all rugby league supporters can be assured the club has been very proactive in fully cooperating with ASADA and taking other measures that prioritise the integrity of our club and the welfare of our playing group," the club said in a statement released on Wednesday night.
"While there are strict boundaries around what we can say while the ASADA investigation is ongoing, fans should be assured that as soon as there is an opportunity to provide further information we will do so."
News Ltd says former ASADA senior counsel Richard Redman has been hired by Cronulla to help guide the club.
It goes on to allege there are serious concerns that two separate peptide-based supplements given to Sharks players may have contravened the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
It added players have been given a 48-hour deadline to decide whether to stand down voluntarily for six months or risk ASADA's maximum two-year ban.
