Stick with code, says WADA

[Sedat]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendon-players-given-banned-drugs-20130806-2rdvs.html

So we have Dank previously admitting on the public record to giving the players Thymosin Beta 4, which is a banned PED under the s2 classification. Then he later tries to retract that statement, even though there's an invoice for Thymosin directly linked to Essendon. And it was administered to 11 players.

I reckon all the positive spin and puff pieces in the media are designed to give the club false hope until Round 23, then the gloves will well and truly come off. I cannot see how WADA will allow anything less than the mandatory 2 years for these 11 players, considering that Thymosin Beta 4 is a known banned PED. Did the players know what they were taking? Probably not (although they stupidly signed consent forms). Is ignorance an excuse? Never has been, and won't be in this instance. They'd probably get 6 months minimum for taking an s0 classified drug like AOD-9604, but Thymosin takes it to a whole new level. The club is rooted (including the players).

Only vitamins eh Spike

[Sedat]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

I've never expected any players to be suspended, the AFL just doesn't want it to happen. I think a fine is all that will come out of it in the end. I'm even expecting Hird to keep his job given 5 others have taken the fall for him.

If it was up to them, I've no doubt the AFL would try to water down any penalties. But it is ultimately out of their hands.

[Sedat]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/wagons-are-circling-for-legal-stoush-20130806-2rdk4.html

As it emerged the World Anti-Doping Agency could yet demand Essendon players be charged, leading AFL player agents have begun to consult lawyers in case players are suspended and legal action against the club is required.

The ASADA report also leaves open the possibility that state work safety laws have been breached, meaning there could be civil or criminal action against Essendon.

Now the players know that they are potentially in all sorts of trouble, expect to see serious ramifications against the club via civil and criminal action by the players. And so they should - the club has been completely derelict in their basic duty of care to the players.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

The AFL's handling of the Melbourne tanking affair was so lame and limpfisted.

So transparent and self serving.

I don't think they can get away with that crap this time around.

[Varangian]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

Hird is an interesting case study and certainly is a template for the tall poppy syndrome.

It is very conflicting that the chairman, chief executive and head coach claim to have known nothing, which at first was entirely believable given the credentials of the three.
The dimension of human nature is “confidence before realism”. So strong is this desire to succeed, to avoid loss, to elevate our social standing that we can deny reality. I believe we carry this instinct, like we do with many other evolutionary traits, with us from our years competing on the savannah and it continues to often drive our behaviour.

One of two things is happening in the minds of the Essendon war leaders, they have either delevoped a primordial pack 'group think' mentality and are strengthened by that against all oncomers or the prospect of the truth has become too painful to consider, so they turn a blind eye.

At Essendon, the mantra of club before individual has certainly gone out the window.

[Mofra]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

WADA guideline state that clubs can be banned if more than 2 players have taken PEDs.

I think the AFL will find a way to keep Essendon in the competition next year, but wowsers this could get very, very ugly.

[Varangian]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

WADA guideline state that clubs can be banned if more than 2 players have taken PEDs.

I think the AFL will find a way to keep Essendon in the competition next year, but wowsers this could get very, very ugly.

I think that if they do they will compromise the integrity of WADA and all that fairness in sport stands for.

Our game risks falling off the edge of the world in terms of reputation and opportunity to develop both internally and externally. If that happens then the AFL can kiss global expansion (NZ, South Africa, Asia) goodbye.

Essendon's action affect not just Essendon and its people but the greater good of the game and for that they need to be made an example of.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

WADA guideline state that clubs can be banned if more than 2 players have taken PEDs.

I think the AFL will find a way to keep Essendon in the competition next year, but wowsers this could get very, very ugly.

Could the AFL find a legal loophole whereby the Essendon VFL team gets handed a provisional licence* for 2014 (or beyond). Are they a seperate entity?
Team filled with blow-in's from here and there, proceed to get smashed each week, but 'Essendon' is still in the marketplace.

As a side note - could the AFL grant a provisional licence to a SANFL/VFL club for the period Essendon are deregistered? A moutnain of headaches no doubt, as they'd have to be mostly funded by the AFL.

It's either of these scenarios* or the AFL re-works the fixture for an extended amount of time with 17 teams, gets into a legal inefield with the free to air and pay tv stations about the rights agreement etc.

* should Essedon get deregistered

[Sedat]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

WADA guideline state that clubs can be banned if more than 2 players have taken PEDs.

I think the AFL will find a way to keep Essendon in the competition next year, but wowsers this could get very, very ugly.

Agree with your assertions Mofra. I don't think the wider public know just how grave this situation is, and the candy-coated coverage of it in then media over the last 6 months hasn't helped. The hot air expelled by most of the scribes over fringe issues mean nothing to WADA - the rules and responsibilities are black and white. And because WADA has the authority to impose club-based sanctions over and above the individual player sanctions in both the Essendon and Cronulla cases, the AFL has no choice but to contemplate contingencies for a 17 team competition next year and possibly the year after. It would be their worst nightmare but if there are 11 or possibly more Essendon players suspended for 2 years (and potentially numerous other for at least 6 months), they may not have a choice in the matter.

It's a more extreme example but I doubt the East German athletes and swimmers in the 70's and 80's would have had any idea of exactly what they were being administered at the time. Ignorance won't save the Essendon players, nor should it. But it then won't save Essendon from a litany of legal action against it by angry players (and their greedy player agents) who have been completely exposed by the club.

Ugly isn't the half of it.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

From worksafe Vic website:

Safety And Prevention

WorkSafe Victoria, the VWA's occupational health and safety arm, takes the lead role in the promotion and enforcement of health and safety in Victorian workplaces. WorkSafe has a team of more than 450 field officers, investigators, work-site technical experts and support staff spread throughout a network of city, suburban and regional offices.

The WorkSafe team is responsible for improving workplace safety through implementing the organisation's comprehensive constructive compliance strategy which focuses on information and education, incentives, enforcement, investigations, prosecutions and penalties.

In general, the type of enforcement action taken by WorkSafe Victoria follows assessment of the situation and consideration of the following factors:

- extent of the risk
- seriousness of the perceived breach and the actual or potential consequences
- whether or not the situation or hazard type is targeted by WorkSafe Victoria for priority prevention activity
- impact of the regulatory action, especially its impact on encouragement and deterrence
- compliance history of the employer, and
- whether or not the incident of non-compliance is of considerable public concern.

[whythelongface]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

Sedat thanks for all your links and your comments on the issue. You seem to have a good understanding of the legal implications that surround the matter.

[Mofra]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

Getting serious... could it be?

Rory Cahill
@rmcahill
BREAKING: AFL to confirm Hird bound by Anti Doping Code, ASADA report to confirm hexarelin use. Hird gone. Stories to follow.

[Twodogs]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

Getting serious... could it be?

Rory Cahill
@rmcahill
BREAKING: AFL to confirm Hird bound by Anti Doping Code, ASADA report to confirm hexarelin use. Hird gone. Stories to follow.

Jeyzus!!!!!! The excrement has hit the oscillator.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

From twitter/boundforglory.com
AFLCA: Hird can be sanctioned for alleged Hexarelin use
AFLCA: Hird can be sanctioned for alleged Hexarelin use Posted by Ben Cuzzupe on 7 August, 2013
Aug, 07, 2013


An AFLCA spokesperson has confirmed James Hird can be sanctioned under the relevant guidelines for alleged personal use of the WADA banned substance Hexarelin.

In a statement to Bound For Glory News, a spokesperson for the AFL Coaches Association indicated that under Section 3 of the AFL’s Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Policy, AFL coaches are listed under ‘Club Officers’ under subsection 3.1 (b).

The spokesperson for the Coaches Association was adamant Hird was bound by the AFL’s Anti-Doping Code.

“As senior coaches, they must adhere to the Rules and Regulations of the AFL. This includes the Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Policy, but also Racial and Religious Vilification Policy, Respect and Responsibility Policy and any others as determined by the AFL.”

In April, News Limited reported Hird was injected numerous times with the WADA-banned substance Hexarelin.

Both former Essenon fitness guru Dean Robinson and sports scientist Stephen Dank have claimed on separate occasions that Hird and other Essendon coaching staff were injected with Hexarelin on multiple occasions, although Hird denies the claims.
There have also been claims that invoices for the drug were processed by Essendon, something the club denies.

Hird has denied these claims he was injected with the banned drug.

Hexarelin is listed as a Schedule 2 banned substance by WADA and ASADA. Punishment for use of a Schedule 2 involves a two-year suspension which can be brought down to six months if a number of conditions, including full co-operation by the athlete or coach in question, are met.

The AFL has been contacted for comment.

More to follow.

[Sedat]

Re: Stick with code, says WADA

Getting serious... could it be?

Rory Cahill
@rmcahill
BREAKING: AFL to confirm Hird bound by Anti Doping Code, ASADA report to confirm hexarelin use. Hird gone. Stories to follow.

Mark Ricciuto clearly has some very reliable sources!