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Essendon coach James Hird has decided against trying further legal action against ASADA, with the Essendon coach stopping short of an appeal to the High Court.
The Bombers coach said that while he still thought the investigation was unlawful, he wouldn’t take the appeal to the highest legal avenue.
Hird’s decision not to appeal should bring about a faster resolution to the Bombers supplements saga, which has been running for over two years.
The appeal relates to the ASADA/AFL investigation into the use of banned substances at the club in 2012, which Hird still believes to be unlawful.
Currently, 34 past and present Essendon players are awaiting the verdict of the AFL’s anti-doping tribunal. If they are found guilty, it places Hird’s role as Essendon coach in serious jeopardy, with the Bombers great overseeing the club in 2012.
James Hird says he still believes the investigation was unlawful BUT he won't appeal to High Court.
— Matt Thompson (@MattThompson) February 27, 2015
Despite the issues, there has been no insistence for Hird to move aside from the AFL if the players are found guilty of the allegations.
Essendon chairman Paul Little said it would be a decision for the club’s members.
“I think the membership would need to decide how they wanted the club to move forward,’’ Little said.
“If we lost it and, at the extreme, there were multiple suspensions handed out for significant time, that would be a lot more difficult to manage than some sort of backdated arrangement that effectively meant no lost time.”
The Tribunal is expected to hand down their verdict against the accused players in March.
Essendon kick off their AFL season in early April against Sydney.
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