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A SAGA
On 5 February 2013, Essendon asked ASADA (Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency) and the AFL
(Australian Football League) to investigate concerns over the potential inappropriate use of
supplements during 2011 and 2012, including AOD-9604, the legal status of which is unclear, and
Thymosin Beta-4, which is a banned substance and has potential performance benefits by promoting
muscle growth and tone, and decreasing the body’s inflammatory response. Prior to that time,
ASADA and the AFL had agreed to conduct a joint investigation whereby ASADA would benefit from
the AFL’s powers to compel players and personnel to attend interviews, answer questions and
provide information/documents.
The compulsory powers were derived from contracts between the players/personnel and the AFL,
which incorporate the AFL Anti-Doping Code and AFL Player Rules. Representatives of ASADA and
the AFL were both present during the interviews of players and personnel. On 2 August 2013, ASADA
submitted an Interim Report regarding the use of supplements to the AFL.
The investigations of the Essendon Football Club by the Australian
Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the AFL have been widely publicised
since 2013.
Andrew Ray
, Solicitor with DLA Piper in Melbourne,
focusses on the various legal proceedings relating to the investigations.
TOUCHLINE
ISSUE 20 | MARCH 2015 |
19
LEGAL
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