REPORT TO AFL CLUB PRESIDENTS, CHAIRS AFL CLUB CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
March, 2017
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Message from AFL Commission Chairman, Mike Fitzpatrick:
On behalf of the AFL Commission, I would like to provide you with a final summary of the actions and learnings from the issues arising from the Essendon Football Club supplements program in 2012.
The Essendon case was unprecedented in its nature and scope.
Our investigation, rules and procedures were tested and challenged by courts, and withstood those challenges.
However, given the unique nature and scope of the case, the AFL Commission has reviewed our rules and procedures, and the following pages outline the principles that underpin our investigations and procedures. There have been some rule changes and clarifications of roles, but just as important, this document reinforces a number of the processes followed by the Commission, the General Counsel, the CEO and the Integrity Unit during 2013.
At all stages during this long process, all affected parties had access to external and independent legal advice. At all stages, the AFL acted within its rules and with respect to our commitments to the WADA and ASADA framework.
This has been a very testing and costly issue for our game, but I am confident that when the history of doping in sport in Australia is written, our competition can say that the Essendon Football Club stood up and reported voluntarily, and the AFL acted swiftly to protect the integrity of the game and the health and welfare of the players.
Mike Fitzpatrick Chairman AFL Commission
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Review and Response to the AFL/ASADA investigation of the Essendon Football Club.
1. Introduction
This paper outlines: