AFL general counsel and general manager, legal, integrity and compliance, Andrew Dillon today advised that the AFL had charged the Essendon Football Club, Essendon FC senior coach James Hird, Essendon FC club doctor Dr Bruce Reid, Essendon FC Football Manager Danny Corcoran and Essendon FC assistant coach Mark Thompson under the AFL Rules in relation to the supplements program at the club in 2011 and 2012.

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The club and each person are all charged with engaging in conduct that is unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the Australian Football League or to bring the game of football into disrepute, contrary to rule 1.6.

 

"I have reviewed the information collected during the course of the joint AFL/ASADA investigation, considered the matter carefully and have come to the view the parties charged have a case to answer," Mr Dillon said.

 

The parties have been informed of the charges and that a hearing of the charges is scheduled to be held on Monday 26 August at AFL House.

 

The AFL also advised that in relation to Essendon players, although WADA has declared AOD-9604 is a banned substance, on the information before the AFL there is no specific Anti-Doping Rule violation attributed to any individual player for use of AOD-9604 or any other prohibited substance. 

 

As such, at the present time, no infraction notices will be issued under the AFL Anti-Doping code.

 

The AFL notes that the investigation into Essendon’s 2011/2012 supplements program by ASADA and the AFL remains open and could lead to further charges under AFL Rules against other individuals.

 

Infraction notices under the AFL Anti-Doping Code against individual Essendon FC players or other persons could also result if further information comes to hand.

 

In releasing the statement of grounds for the laying of the charges against the parties, Mr Dillon stated:

 

"All parties charged will be provided every reasonable opportunity to respond to these matters before the AFL Commission prior to any determination being made."

 

With this matter now due to be heard by the AFL Commission on 26 August 2013, the AFL will be restricting further comment on the matter until that time.