The AFL wishes to advise that a meeting of the AFL Appeal Board will be held this evening, Wednesday April 23 in the matter involving former St Kilda player Ahmed Saad.

ASADA formally notified the AFL in December last year of its intention under Article 17 of the AFL Anti-Doping Code to appeal the AFL Tribunal hearing decision in the matter on November 26, 2013 which saw an 18-month suspension imposed on former player Saad.

Tonight’s hearing will be chaired by AFL Appeal Board Chairman Peter O’Callaghan QC, who will be joined on the Board panel by fellow lawyers Shaun Ryan and Stephen Jurica.

The Appeal Board will consider all submissions in camera and the hearing is not open to the media. Former player Saad and other relevant parties will then be informed of the Board’s decision in due course.

Under Anti-Doping Policy rules, the AFL is not able to comment further at this time.