WESTERN Bulldogs president Peter Gordon has concerns the Essendon supplements saga is damaging the AFL's brand.
Gordon was speaking after the 17 AFL presidents andchairmen – excluding Essendon's Paul Little – called on the AFL and theBombers to resolve their ongoing dispute without going to court.
"I think it's really disappointing and I think that it's important that we as clubs make it clear that we do find it troubling that the brand is being damaged," Gordon told The Footy Show.
"As clubs we've all been respectful of Essendon's right to defend itself, and issues like presumption of innocence and waiting for due process to take place.
"But I'm disappointed that it's reached this point, and I know that I'm not the only club president who feels that way.
"We have a situation that took place at Essendon that no one wants to be the norm for the future."
Earlier on Thursday Gordon issued a brief statement after a meeting of all club chiefs regarding the issue.
"We resolved tounanimously express our support for the integrity of the AFL Rules and the needfor those rules and the integrity of our competition to be preserved.
"In our view, it isof paramount importance that every effort be made to resolve these matterswithin the AFL industry."
All AFL clubs met withthe League commission in Melbourne on Monday before the 17 other clubs met inthe absence of Essendon and the AFL.
"We wish to unanimouslyexpress our confidence in the AFL Commission and AFL management," Gordonsaid on behalf of the 17 clubs.
"In the meantime, wecall upon all parties to exercise restraint and discretion in any publiccomments about this matter and with the safety and welfare of players and theirfamilies and the integrity of the game as the paramount considerations."
