The AFL today has informed the Essendon Football Club that it has considered a request from the Club that any legal expenses the Club pays on behalf of current and former players as part of the ASADA investigation be excluded from the Club’s Total Player Payments.

AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon said: “It has been determined that the reimbursement of legal expenses incurred by Players that relate directly to defending any potential breach of the AFL Anti-Doping Code shall be excluded from the Club’s Total Player Payments.

“This is in accordance with current practice whereby Clubs organise and pay for Player’s legal expenses when they are contesting a charge at the AFL Tribunal or appearing before the Appeals Board.”