Essendon have commissioned an independent review into “irregular practices” at the AFL club, with chairman David Evans planning to go public with its findings.
The full external review of the club’s governance, processes and supervision will be headed by former Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski.
It will run concurrently with an Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigation into possible illegal performance-enhancing drug use at Essendon in their contentious supplement program last season.
Evans believes a resolution to the ASADA probe is “probably months rather than weeks away”, meaning its findings will likely be submitted after Essendon’s internal review has been completed.
The internal review will start with the governance of the club, from board level down.
“The review will also investigate practices in other clubs and other sports, to measure our actions and processes against best practice,” Evans said.
“Dr Switkowski will be given all the resources he needs to conduct this review, and the board will expect a report and recommendations.
“We cannot commit to a firm timeline.”
Three weeks ago, Evans asked the AFL and ASADA to review the club’s 2012 supplements program.
Five days later, the AFL confirmed Essendon were the only AFL club being investigated for possible multiple breaches of the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) code following an Australian Crime Commission (ACC) report.
A single player from another AFL team and six NRL clubs were also being being examined by ASADA.
“The board and I are now aware of irregular practices by the club that are being investigated by ASADA and the AFL,” Evans said on Wednesday.
“That is why we have decided to call an independent and external review into the governance and processes that have led to us being in the position we are in today.
“I want to make sure that we are able to give answers to our members about what happened and why, and to put in place any changes needed to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”
Evans said when finalised, the report would be sent to the AFL Commission and ASADA, and he expected it to be made public.
“Our members deserve to know what happened, and to have faith that we will take responsibility to fix any problems,” Evans said.
The Bombers continue their build-up to the home and away season opener on March 22 with a NAB Cup clash against Richmond in Wangaratta on Saturday night.
Steve M
Guest
AR, As Essendon is the only club of interest after a 12 months of intelligence gathering by the ACC, your view is logical, reasonable and astute. However, please bear in mind, if there is one man arguing with a fool there are two fools arguing.
Australian Rules
Guest
I know all that. I'm not finger pointing. I'm not calling for heads. I'm not saying anyone broke the law. But the fact is - the group was taken off-site, without the club doctor, systematically injected with *something*...no-one is certain what. In my view, given the potential for enormous damage to the club and to the game, Essendon has brought the game into disrepute. I know you're a passionate Bombers man...but I'd be surprised if anyone could really argue against that.
Redb
Roar Guru
AR, There is doubt, becuase no-one knows what occured. The injecting was apparently done without Club Doctor knowledge that means someone went outside their authority and the clubs appointed authority. That could happen anytime at any club. The irregular practices external investigation means the club Essendon was not fully aware of some of the dealings within the club. The line is blurred between club responsibilty and individual responsibility. That does not mean some consequence for the club, but to say 'Essendon' smacks of Caroline Wilson or Patrick Smith throwing darts in the dark. Caroline Wilson finally admitted last night she doesn't have all the facts. Therefore her call for the beheadings at Essendon are ridiculous. Smells? of course it smells. That's what we need to find out and people should hold their sentence until they know the facts.
Australian Rules
Guest
In my opinion (and that's all it is), there's no doubt that Essendon have brought the game into disrepute. Whatever they're found innocent or guilty of, the club systematically injected its players with *something* away from the club grounds and away from the control of the club doctor. Talk about failing the smell test.
Redb
Roar Guru
Steve M, So far you have not debated much at all. Perhaps for a reason.
Steve M
Guest
RedB, The scenario is irrelevant but the punishment isn't. RedB you are to one eyed for me to bother debating the subject. Good Luck and bye, I will not respond again.
Redb
Roar Guru
no, I wish. I get snippets of inside info but mostly read a fair bit of the material and form an opinion. Albeit it's too early to know what the outcome of the various investigations will discover. I'm fairly comfortable there is not systemic PED use endorsed by EFC.
Redb
Roar Guru
"every case is judged on its own merits" finally you've come around. The Ben Cousins scenario is irrelevant.
Strummer Jones
Guest
Corporations/instos usually undertake these voluntary independent reviews only after they already know little will be found. It "could" be an exercise simply for the supporters and the sponsors. If not, why undertake it when it could result in even greater damage? I'll therefore take a guess here based on the announcement - the Bombers will not have (or technically not have) breached any WADA code of conduct.
Steve M
Guest
There is no precedence in admin law every case is judged on its own merits; therefore, there is no use answering your post.
Redb
Roar Guru
You haven't answered my post.
Steve M
Guest
Essendon have been honest (as you put it) because they have no choice as they are the only club named by the ACC with a case to answer. No other club has been implicated as Essendon has. One other unknown player from an unkwnown club is under investigation, this does not suggest the unknown club has done anything wrong, just the unknown player.
Seano
Guest
Essendon finds out it has done something wrong, calls the media, asada, afl and ziggy to sort it out. Another unnamed club gets told about there one player, they hide and do nothing, lets just remember how honest the bombers always have been, compared to all other clubs. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Redb
Roar Guru
Again it will depend on what the investigation uncovers. Questions needs to be answered, like: Did Essendon condone the use of PED's? Have Essendon players taken PED's? At what level in the club did irregularities in processes occur? Who who knew and can the individuals involved be reasonably held to account? Was it one rogue individual or systemic? Was the hiring of Dank negligent by Robinson? (If Dank is found guilty of something) ------------------------------------------ In everday life, an employer is not charged if an employee steals or does something illegal? Does the employer need to look at controls? probably yes and with hindsight this often occurs. The AFL has already said it beleives the Phys-Edders have too much control at clubs - this is a massive wake up call to the competition as a whole. Mick Malthouse said immediately afterwards he is not across every single facet of the sports science dept. Other coaches have agreed. The ACC/ASADA are investigating the explosion of importation of supplements (peptides and others) over the past 12 months to 2 years. This is a recent problem unfolding before our eyes. When the questions above are answered and let's say ASADA clears Essendon, has the club brought the game into disrepute? To a degree yes becuase of media exposure. Did Adelaide when the Tippett affair ocurred? - were they suspended for 12 months? Did Collingwood when CEO Gary Pert admitted it's players have an illicit drug problem?
Steve M
Guest
Do you really think that with all the information available Essendon has not brought the game into disrepute. I know they are innocent until proven guilty, but even as an Essendon supporter you must see they have a case to answer.
Redb
Roar Guru
Like I said we all have to wait until ASADA finishes it's investigation, like some you are pre-judging the result by accusing Essendon of bringing the game into disrepute. Innocent until proven guilty - I heard that somewhere.
Steve M
Guest
Essendon has admitted to irregularities in its sports supplement program, the ACC has nominated Essendon, one other player and six NRL clubs of interest in regards to use of performance enhancing drugs in sport. Essendon sacked Stephen Danks in charge of their sports supplement program and then suspended the Weapon. Essendon instigated the ASADA and AFL investigation because it new it had a case to answer. If it was up to the AFL they would be fined to cover it up for the good of the game as in the case of Melbourne's tanking. However, it is not up to the AFL and ASADA will not take any prisoners.
Redb
Roar Guru
There is no comparison. Player v club. Cousins admitted to drug use. Essendon could be fined if you use the Melbourne tanking case as a precedent.
Steve M
Guest
Ben was never charged by police, nor did he fail a drug test when he was deregistered.
Redb
Roar Guru
Steve M, Until charges are laid or the police involved like with Ben Cousins then we will all have to wait until the ASADA investigation concludes. Governance nazis are always so clever with the benefit of hindsight. The club will learn and improve that is the point of calling in Ziggy & team.