James Hird Re-Affirms Essendon Players’ Innocence Following 12-Month Bans

Ex-Essendon coach James Hird has reaffirmed the innocence of the 34 players facing year-long suspensions for doping offences. 

In an interview with the ABC, Hird said his involvement with the Dons’ health program during his tenure was limited. He again claimed to have no personal oversight over the club’s injection regime, and maintained that he had faith in the club’s sports science program.

After saying he didn’t “want to talk about or go into areas of science which I don’t understand” because “it is not my specialty,” before saying “at certain times, I believe the protocols weren’t adhered to and that didn’t happen. That was very disappointing.”

Moreover, the former coach doubled-down on his players’ innocence, again saying they could not be reasonably held accountable for the contents of their injections. 

“If no-one can say for certain what they were injected with, how can 34 men be found guilty by [The Court of Arbitration for Sport]?

I’m not sure absolution will come… the main reason I’m here tonight is I don’t want history to see these players as drug cheats, because they’re not.

These players did not take drugs, and they did nothing wrong,”

The interview comes a week after club captain Jobe Watson – one of the 34 suspended players – delivered a statement on the issue, in which he also defended their innocence in the saga. 
Source: ABC News 24.
Photo: ABC News 24. 

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