Essendon players still not considering a plea deal with ASADA
ESSENDON players issued with show cause notices are not looking to make a deal with ASADA to resolve the supplements scandal that has engulfed the competition.
And the AFL Players' Association has once again called on ASADA to provide its legal team representing the players with the evidence on which those notices are based.
Following Friday's Federal Court decision determining the joint investigation into Essendon's 2012 supplements program was lawful, the AFL Players' Association legal team spoke to the majority of the 34 players issued with show cause notices and concluded it was not prepared to blink.
AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh said the players remained steadfast in their position that they are not looking to resolve this matter through a 'deal' with ASADA.
"Players continue to take the view that they have done nothing wrong and despite numerous requests, players have not been provided with any evidence to suggest otherwise," Marsh said.
"This matter has already severely disrupted two AFL seasons and taken an enormous toll on the players involved. As such, the players want this matter to proceed as soon as possible. For this to happen ASADA needs to provide the evidence it has and we call on them to do so urgently."
The AFLPA was not part of the court action Essendon and its 2012 coach James Hird instigated in the Federal Court to challenge the legality of the investigation.
It emphasised that any decision on whether to appeal Friday's decision was a matter for Essendon or James Hird.