The Australian Football League Anti-Doping Tribunal held a directions hearing today relating to proposed hearings in the cases of past and present Essendon Football Club players and a former employee of the Essendon FC who have been issued with Infraction Notices.

The directions hearing was productive and was able to resolve pre-hearing matters.

A further directions hearing will be held on Monday December 8, 2014, to review the progress in preparation.

It is anticipated that the ruling on whether the hearing should be held in-camera or be open to media will be finalised and released by that date.

The hearing of the proceedings was confirmed to commence on December 15, 2014, to continue for a number of days prior to Christmas and then resume on January 12, 2015. A suitable venue for the hearing is being finalised.

The AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal panel for these cases consists of Chairman Mr David Jones, a former County Court Judge, Mr John Nixon, a former County Court Judge with extensive experience in sports tribunals, and Mr Wayne Henwood, a barrister and former VFL player.