Last week Jobe Watson, captain of the Essendon Football Club, publicly admitted that he was repeatedly injected with AOD-9604 during the 2012 season.
AOD-9604 is a prohibited substance; don’t be confused by statements from Essendon chairman, David Evans: as an experimental drug, it is prohibited for use by athletes under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances. There’s no debate on this.
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), whose role is to enforce the WADA code, has explicitly confirmed that AOD-9604 use is prohibited under all circumstances.
In other words, it is a strict-liability offence and claiming ignorance is no defence. Even the boss of WADA, John Fahey, made a statement on the captain’s fate, saying there are no excuses for him taking AOD-9604.
Meanwhile, the ASADA investigation into the Essendon FC’s doping continues, and naturally the AFL and/or Essendon FC shouldn’t hand down suspensions to players who have not publicly admitted use and exercised their right to silence until the formal ASADA report is eventually delivered.
But the case for Jobe Watson is different; he has admitted use in a very public way. Here is the captain of a top football club admitting to signing consent forms, admitting that he took a prohibited substance over an extended period of time, and yet no action has been taken.
Arguments that ‘he shouldn’t be stood down because we don’t know if he took the drug’ are empty: what more evidence do we need, video footage of a needle labelled with “AOD-9604” being injected into his arm?
Of course, the AFL should wait to hand down its ultimate punishment when all information is available. But in the meantime, his suspension should have been automatic.
Remember, both the AFL and Essendon FC have the power to enforce suspensions without external pressure. They don’t need to wait for an infraction notice to be handed down by ASADA. In fact, each day they don’t act, they send the message that “the AFL or clubs won’t act unless ASADA forces their hand”.
Compare this case to that of Stephen Milne: last week, rape charges were re-opened against him and he was immediately stood down by his club on an indefinite basis. The AFL supported that decision. Milne has made no admissions whatsoever.
In every other professional sport worldwide, admitting use of a prohibited substance would lead to an immediate ban. Former Olympian and sports commentator David Culbert has said that “if Jobe Watson was supposed to ride the Tour de France, he wouldn’t be on the starting line this weekend”. Former AFL star Peter Bell has stated his concerns that if he is continued to allow playing, it “will reduce, in the eyes of international sport, the AFL to a laughing stock”.
On Thursday, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinley said that he doesn’t have a problem with Watson playing. But don’t forget, his team is affected by this scandal as well with new recruit Angus Monfries coming straight from Essendon this year.
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas has conceded sanctions against Essendon may apply to Monfries as well.
Just imagine if Jobe’s performance on the field proves to be pivotal to Essendon’s early finals success, like his performance last week against West Coast was, only for him to be suspended down the track? It would turn the finals into a farce.
This is unfair for every other team in the league and not just the other players who actively avoid avoided drugs, but also the fans who pay to see a fair competition.
Each day his position in the team continues, the legitimacy of the AFL is undermined, suspicion of players taking banned substances increases, and the integrity of the AFL is damaged in the public eye.
Don’t expect the boos to go away, and don’t expect parents to be so eager to introduce their kids to the game any time in the near future.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Ian, over and above an admission to ASADA? If a public admission carries more weight than one given to the investigators, there is something seriously wrong with the system. An admission may be enough to trigger an infraction, but surely that would depend on various circumstances. Watson has only admitted being admnistered with the substance, not culpability. That may make a difference as well - that he is seeking to defend the charges (not that there appear many valid defecnes possible, but let things run their course). As for Dank's high court case, there is a long way before anything gets that far if they ever do. In the meantime, when ASADA's findings are handed down, so can appropriate penalties until/unless overturned in he courts. The same as happens for those found guilt in a criminal court who are imprisoned and sometimes released on appeal.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
I wanted him suspended but no, never wish injury on any player, no matter who they are.
joe
Guest
Watson out with broken collarbone apparently feel any better now peter
Rolf
Guest
There is no provision in the AFL, ASADA or WADA code for any officer or employee to give an athlete or club permission to use a banned substance. It was not up to Dank to check with WADA. Why didn't anyone contact the AFL Medical Officer as they were supposed to prior to undertaking this program ?
Stavros
Guest
"What more evidence do we need" - we need to wait and see what ASADA say about it. If ASADA have mistakenly said that it is ok to use, then does that exonerate Essendon? I would think so. There has got to be a good reason why Essendon are confident.
Peter Neal
Roar Rookie
True, he said he believes he didn't do anything wrong and said that he believed it wasn't prohibited. But it is - AOD-9604 is prohibited under S0 of the WADA prohibited substances list and taking it is a strict-liability offence. Claiming ignorance is no defence. Jim Fahley, boss of WADA has said that "once it is in your system, you're gone". Lets look over his admission again: he said he signed consent forms to be given AOD-9604, believes he was given that and that it was a "new frontier" for him, as a footy player receiving so many injections. As I said above, what more evidence do we need? A video tape of him being injected with a needle labelled "AOD-9604"? This just isn't plausible.
Stavros
Guest
Watson never admitted doing wrong. He said he believed he was taking AOD and it was legal. What we don't know is whether he actually did take it or not, or whether someone from ASADA has given Dank / Essendon the green light to use it.
Peter Neal
Roar Rookie
Actually, Hird himself said a few days after the admission: "I didn't know that was going to be said". It was, in fact, a shock and suprise to many in the football world. The fact the AFL has still not acted may make it seem like it was known to those outside ASADA, but that's not the case. To re-iterate what I've said above, and help clarify: I’m not asking for Jobe's ultimate punishment, obviously that should wait and will depend on the full details of the investigation. I'm discussing his suspension. Unlike any other player he has made full public admissions. If the AFL continues not to act, it could threaten to undermine the entire finals. Revelations yesterday concerning 4 new drugs (including a drug specifically prohibited under S2, not just S0), and Dank's possible court appeal could mean the ASADA investigation will be finished much later than originally expected, and well into finals territory.
Redb
Roar Guru
Will be heading to the game soon to cheer on the Bombers and in particular Jobe Watson. To the haters :)
Pat
Guest
With all the lawyers, spin doctors and management advising Essendon and the players I can't believe Watson made this public admission off his own bat. The question is why did he do it? Is it part of a grand plan to exonerate the players? There seems to be some confidence at the AFL and Essendon that some mysterious information exists that will explain all and get everyone off.
db swannie
Guest
That he is still playing does no have anything to do with ASADA at the moment. They will hand down ALL findings at once .& I agree players under investigation should be able to continue to take the field till things are sorted out This is more about the AFLs inaction on standing down a player who ADMITTED doing wrong. Plain as day he said it & the AFL ignore it .WHY?
Australian Rules
Guest
This idea that Dank may just "go" to the High Court, isn't rooted in any sort of Civil Procedure provision that I'm aware of. I don't see what grounds he would have to seek special leave. Even an argument that ASADA is abusing its power by fining him for non-compliance, would surely begin in the Federal Court. At any rate, I'm troubled by the AFL's insistence that it'll be wrapped up by August. Dank is the central figure in this mess. Findings made, without Dank's full disclosure, would border on farcical.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Dank will probably be able to slow things down in the courts as well.
Peter Neal
Roar Rookie
I'm not asking for the punishment, obviously that should wait. But given the recent revelations concerning the 4 new drugs, the ASADA report could come out much later than originally expected, and well into finals territory - I'm discussing suspension in the meantime.
Peter Neal
Roar Rookie
"That something has become public knowledge makes no difference except for PR." But Timmuh, the AFL's reputation is incredibly important. Reputation is hard gained, easily lost and it is crucial to our game, especially if we want it to grow and be respected. Do we want to have a reputation for siding with players who admit to drug use, or the players who actively avoid prohibited drugs, who play fair and adhere to the rules? But this isn't just about the captain, or his team or even other players. This is about the entire game and each day the AFL don't act, they're sending a dangerous message: "we won't act until ASADA tells us to". Remember, peptides such as AOD-9604 are incredibly hard to detect and some are legal to possess and buy. If the AFL don't take a hard line on this then what does it say to the young budding players out there who may be tempted to try drugs like this?
Tim
Guest
Jobe Watson averaged 3 possessions more per game in 2012 than he did in 2011. Meanwhile Essendon claim that the drug had no effect. The drugs were taken as part of a high performance campaign, and there appears to be evidence that it worked.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Timmuh, A public admission alone is enough to trigger an infraction notice. I think with Dank wanting to go to the High Court, infraction notices are going to be need to be issued before the investigation is completed. Start at the bottom, with the players, and then work the way up to the coaching staff who authorised this doping scheme.
BooMer
Guest
AOD-9604, aka Watson should have been suspended immediately for bring the game into disrepute, the AFL should have acted faster with this as now its a weekly topic for discussion. EssenAOD-9604en should be told they are not playing for points this year so the 9-12 placed teams can prepare for a potential finals place and they should also be advised of what to expect next year, eg fines and and draft sanctions and importantly suspensions. The last point should be publicly made clear so at least the bombers can see if they're able to even field a side next year, or the AFL should consider a 17 team competition in 2014.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Again, what difference does a public admission make? If players were to be stood down before any findings are made, it should have been when the admission was made to ASADA. There could be a case made for that. That something has become public knowledge makes no difference except for PR. (Make no mistake, if this was a small club PR would have taken precedence and players suspended - probably back when the story first broke.) He was allowed to play after reportedly making the admission to ASADA, he should be allowed to play now. Let's see what the findings are. We all have our expectations, both of the findings and of the level of any penalties; but we do not have the facts that ASADA does and will.
pope paul v11
Guest
I think Hird's taking a calming substance. Essendon are gambling with their mystery "evidence" given that antidoping rules are designed to discount mysteries. They could have conceded this year's points volantarily as they are extremely likely to be stripped. Players could have started suspensions. As it is they risk extending their supporters pain. Meanwhile the AFL administration seem to wish it would go away.