Essendon have been charged by the AFL with bringing the game into disrepute over last year’s supplements saga.
Coach James Hird, senior assistant Mark Thompson, football manager Danny Corcoran and club doctor Bruce Reid have also been charged with bringing the game into disrepute.
The AFL announcement came in a day of late-developing dramas, with Brisbane coach Michael Voss sacked amid rumors the Lions had secured former Sydney coach Paul Roos.
Essendon and its four senior four officials will face an AFL commission hearing on August 26, the AFL’s general counsel Andrew Dillon announced on Tuesday night.
The charges stem from an Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigation into the club, which began in February, after the club reported concerns with their 2011-12 supplement program.
Dillon said on the evidence currently before the AFL, no anti-doping charges would be laid against Bombers players.
But the ASADA investigation remains ongoing.
“In relation to the Essendon players I can advise that although WADA has declared AOD9604 is a banned substance, on the information currently before the AFL there is no specific anti-doping rule violation attributed to any individual player for the use of AOD9604 or any other prohibited substance,” Dillon said.
“As such at the present time there will be no infraction notices issued under the AFL anti-doping code.
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“I note the investigation into Essendon’s 2011-12 supplements program by ASADA and the AFL remains open and could lead to further charges under the AFL rules against other individuals.”
The man who shared a Brownlow Medal with James Hird – Michael Voss had his own dramas.
Brisbane told Voss they will not renew his senior coach contract after this AFL season.
Voss, the three-time Brisbane premiership captain and 1996 co-Brownlow Medallist with James Hird, has coached the Lions since 2009.
He was under growing pressure earlier this season when the Lions won the pre-season premiership only to struggle badly through the opening rounds.
