The Court of Attribution for Sport has this morning overruled the not-guilty verdict handed down by the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal, and found 34 past and present Essendon players guilty for their involvement in the club’s 2012 supplements program.
“Regrettably we can confirm the Court of Attribution for Sport has found 34 past and present players guilty of committing an anti-doping rule violation,” the club said in a statement.
“As a result, the players – including 12 currently listed with Essendon – have been suspended for the 2016 season. The club is currently digesting the decision and we will provide a further update later today.”
The CAS was completely satisfied that the 2012 players had taken the banned substance thymosin beta-4.
“I feel sick in the stomach,” said former Essendon player Matthew Lloyd. “I’m completely gutted.”
The verdict may even strip skipper Jobe Watson of his 2012 Brownlow Medal.
The ban – which will also impact former players holding coaching positions or playing at a local level – will likely affect most players until November 13 this year, with the mandatory two-year bans being backdated from March 31, 2015.
Photo: 7 Sport.
