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AFL Players’ Association CEO Paul Marsh has slammed the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to ban 34 players involved in Essendon’s controversial 2012 supplements program, saying the players are “victims, not perpetrators”.
“The AFL Players’ Association is bitterly disappointed by today’s decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and shattered for each and every player involved,” Marsh said in a statement.
“We have maintained a consistent position that these players did nothing wrong, and today’s decision does nothing to change our view.
“It is important to note that the players took all reasonable steps to assure themselves that what they were being given was compliant with the WADA Code. They expressly sought confirmation that all supplements they were to be provided were in compliance with the code, and were provided with written documentation to this effect.”
Marsh then took aim at the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority, in particular ASADA CEO Ben McDevitt:
“We are staggered to read comments attributed to the ASADA CEO today, that “there were very little grounds for the players to claim they were at no significant fault.” This is despite his previous recommendation to WADA and the AFL that it would be appropriate to reduce the sanction on the basis of no significant fault or negligence.”
(Read McDevitt and ASADA’s full response here.)
While Marsh promised the players’ legal team would “conduct a thorough review of the decision, the process which has led to it, and the general applicability of the WADA regime to our game”, it would seem such action would be purely academic, as decisions handed down by the CAS tend to be final.
Marsh finished by telling the players involved they could hold their heads high:
“Not only did you take all reasonable steps to assure yourselves that what you were being given was compliant with the WADA Code, but you cooperated fully with the AFL, ASADA, WADA and CAS at all times. You are deserving of a huge amount of credit for the way you’ve conducted yourselves at all times through this process. Sadly you have been horribly let down throughout this process.”
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