http://theconversation.edu.au/cronulla-sharks-and-thymosin-beta-4-is-it-doping-12694
The link above essentially says that the type of supplement in question is treated ambiguously by WADA.*
While it was not specifically "banned" at the time it MAY be treated as such under a "catch all" clause. Some substances with similar properties (even containing thymosin!) may be injected directly to your heart's (or knee's) content but are AOK according to WADA. Go figure.*
Determination of illegality is also "subject to the form used" - was it oral, intramuscular or intravenous?
This stinks and the legal fraternity will love it.
And now an exercise for us aggrieved Sharks supporters:-
Compare the treatment of the Sharks to the Essendon experience.*
Two footy clubs, identical allegations, same potential villain but the practice seems to have been pervasive, long lasting and accepted at Essendon whereas it was a short lived phenomenon at Cronulla, who stopped it pretty quickly.
Did ASADA meet with the Shark's players and officials to brief them on their rights and tell them about the "get out" clause??*(which allows athletes to escape punishment under "exceptional circumstances" if it can be proved they were given illegal substances against their consent).
ASADA did this with Essendon on February 20th, days*before they started any interviews. Yes. ASADA. Before*any player interviews. Lots of time to lawyer up, close ranks and get the story straight.
Did Essendon call them and ASADA was absolutely delighted to come and help out the club they were about to investigate, or did ASADA independently think it was a great idea to pop in to Windy Hill one day for a quiet chat with the boys? Not sure which scenario is less palatable, but you just know the imposing presence of Demetriou is hovering somewhere in the background.
And definitely no 48 hour ultimatum to the players to fess up. No way, no chance and no hope in hell of THAT working with a Melbourne AFL club. ASADA people would have been quietly informed they would never work again anywhere in the world in this lifetime and the next if they tried that stunt.
Essendon expects any ASADA investigation to run for a minimum of three months (how do they know that?) and have commissioned an "independent" inquiry all by their good selves. Bully for them. Bully for their connections and bully for the AFL's political clout and influence.
I seem to remember the AFL's hastily convened drugs conference being held a week or so just before the big announcement. Curious timing, that.
We have been shafted.
This stinks.
