Essendon coach Mark Thompson denies report he won't pay $30,000 fine
Dons coach says he hasn't told AFL he doesn't intend to pay up
ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson says a report that he won't pay a $30,000 fine over the club's supplements scandal is wrong.
News Corp papers reported on Saturday that Thompson wrote to AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan outlining his intention to avoid paying the fine, which he said was due later this year.
Thompson was hit with the $30,000 fine in August last year as part of the wide-ranging penalties levied on the club and its key officials.
But after the Bombers' upset win over Port Adelaide, Thompson said the story was incorrect.
"I didn't say that – I don't have to pay the fine until the 31st of October, 2014, that's the invoice date – so I haven't refused to pay," Thompson said.
"(The report's) wrong."
Although insisting he had never refused to pay the fine, Thompson stopped short of confirming he would pay it.
"Well, I'll wait and see," he said.
The report came a day after the 34 current and former Essendon players who have received show-cause notices from ASADA were assured their identities would remain confidential during an impending Federal Court trial.
Essendon and its suspended coach James Hird have launched simultaneous challenges to the legality of ASADA's joint investigation with the AFL into the Bombers' supplements program.
The three-day trial is scheduled to begin on August 11.
'Like any other oppo': No extra attention for gun former Lions
Sophie Conway says Brisbane will be focussing on much more than just former teammates Emily Bates and Greta Bodey ahead of its clash with Hawthorn
Key Roo's return in doubt after early exit from training track
Emma Kearney's return from a hamstring injury in time for Friday's qualifying final is in doubt after she only completed half a session with the main group on Wednesday
AFLW injury list, FW1: Crow in doubt, Roo racing the clock
Who's still sore? Who's nearing a return? Check out your club's injury updates ahead of the first week of AFLW finals
LISTEN: Gettable looks at when bids will come, who Saints will target