DAVID Evans has resigned as Essendon chairman, describing what is happening at the Bombers as "a tragedy".

Essendon has been subject to a joint ASADA-AFL investigation into the club's supplement program since February 7.

Evans, 48, said he did not want perceptions of future decisions to be affected by the long-standing relationships he has with people at Essendon and the AFL.

He said those relationships had given him great strength since the investigation began and assisted in his decision making but the time was right to step aside as the ASADA report was close to completion.

"I am not prepared to have my decisions reflect poorly on the club either now or in future," Evans said in a statement released on Saturday night. 

"What is happening at our club right now is a tragedy, but I know that it will survive." 

He said he had been guided by his duty of care to the players, their families, and the club during the past five months. 

"I remain extremely hopeful that our players will be treated with fairness and dignity through the next stage, and I do trust the process that we have been subject to," Evans said.

He said the process had taken a toll on him and those around him and he owed it to his family to move aside.

Evans' decision came as a surprise. When CEO Ian Robson resigned following the Ziggy Switkowski report into the club's governance was handed down in May, Evans pledged to face the members at an election later this year.

He then denied on Thursday night he was to step aside as chairman as reports surfaced of a dissension at board level about Evans' handling of the crisis.  However the club stated soon after that the board supported Evans.

Evans is managing partner of an investment firm he established in 2007 and also said in the statement that he need to devote more time to his work.

"It is important that I return, and this means I cannot give to Essendon what it needs over the coming months," he said.

Dons throw support behind Evans

Essendon interim CEO Ray Gunston said the club regretfully accepted his resignation and the board would meet over the coming days to find a replacement.

"While his successes in leading the club are many, it will be the courage and fortitude of his leadership over the last 5 months that will be remembered," Gunston said. 

"He has led a strategy that has put the interests of our players and their families first in the AFL and ASADA investigation, called the Ziggy Switkoski report which has already led to significant change, and been the face of the club during its most difficult of times."


Essendon chairman David Evans at the release of the Ziggy Switkowski report in May. Photo: AFL Media.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said Evans had shown "outstanding leadership and tremendous personal courage through a confronting, difficult period for his club and the wider game."

"David has led the way over the last six months to guide the welfare of his player group and the wider club," Demetriou said.

"These are difficult and complex matters that have been investigated, through the ASADA enquiry, and at all times David has sought to discover the facts, act in the best interests of all those under him at the club and to provide leadership on a challenging issue."

He praised Evans for his work in expanding the club's base to its new home at Tullamarine and guiding the rebuild of the club to its position in the top four.

"David has paid a heavy personal toll with the interruption to his family and business life, with his commitment and love for his club, and the AFL applauds his efforts to make the welfare of Essendon's players his absolute priority throughout this difficult time," Demetriou said.

Evans is the son of former AFL chairman and Essendon player Ron Evans.

He joined the Essendon board in 2006 and had been chairman since late 2009.

Following the announcement, several Essendon players took to Twitter to throw their support behind Evans: