The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority chief Ben McDevitt has revealed that ASADA will be lenient on players who co-operate and players who “can demonstrate no significant fault”.
ASADA bombshell: Dons to be hit with show-cause notices
After being issued show-cause notices, players now have 10 days to respond to formal allegations after ASADA declared they have a case to answer.
Notices of possible anti-doping rule violations have been put to 34 current and former AFL players relating to the alleged use of a prohibited substance during the 2012 season.
The 2012 Bombers: where are they now?
McDevitt confirmed on Friday morning that the show-cause notices refer to thymosin Beta 4 and not the anti-obesity drug, AOD9604.
In a statement, McDevitt said: "Based on the advice of our legal counsel and a review of the evidence by the Honourable Garry Downes, I have reached the conclusion that these players have a case to answer under the World Anti-Doping Code.
"When I have reached a conclusion that a possible violation has occurred, it is incumbent on me under legislation to put formal allegations to athletes and invite them to respond,” he said.
On Friday morning, McDevitt told radio station 3AW that players who fully cooperated with ASADA could have their penalties reduced by more than half.
"Following the conclusion of joint interviews with the AFL in mid-2013, ASADA continued to accumulate evidence to establish a possible violation," he said.
"The investigation of these matters was a significant exercise in determining whether, under the National Anti-Doping scheme or relevant anti-doping policy of a sport, possible anti-doping rule violations had been committed.
"If a player can demonstrate no significant fault … if they didn’t know for example what was being administered to them, they would have that sort of claim, that penalty can then be reduced by up to 50 per cent.
"In addition to that, a player can actually make a claim that they have provided substantial assistance to ASADA.
"If they were to actually say and demonstrate that they had told the whole truth and are willing to say everything that they know about the circumstances here then we can see further substantial reductions."
Essendon chairman Paul Little is expected to comment later on Friday.
The club and players are seeking legal advice.
McDevitt said ASADA had been empowered by the Australian Government to do its job without fear or favour.
The AFL had no comment Thursday night.
The 2012 Essendon side. Picture: AFL Media
