World anti-doping boss David Howman happy with ASADA probe
The Australian
August 22, 2014 12:00AM
Brent Read
Senior Sports Writer
WORLD Anti-Doping Agency chief executive David Howman has revealed he has regular dialogue with his ASADA counterpart Ben McDevitt and is content that the ongoing investigation into both the AFL and NRL is in line with the world anti-doping code.
As past and present players from Cronulla mull over whether to accept compromise deals from ASADA, Howman, speaking to The Australian from Canada, confirmed that his body would look closely at any sanctions issued to those in the firing line.
However, his ongoing talks with McDevitt and his faith in the way ASADA has handled the matter in recent months would appear to indicate that WADA would not interfere in the proposal which is currently on offer to the players.
Under the terms outlined by ASADA to the 17 past and present Cronulla players on Wednesday, they would be given backdated one-year suspensions in return for admissions that they were duped into taking prohibited substances.
They would also receive compensation for the inordinate amount of time it has taken to finish the investigation.
“We’re watching it pretty closely,” Howman said. “We’re content that it’s going according to the code and we’re just keeping in touch to see if that is the case.
“If there are sanction processes that take place, we have to make sure they’re subject to the code processes.
“And then if there are sanctions imposed, we have a right of appeal.
“We have to sit and wait. Obviously if a sanction is imposed and it’s totally above board and there is no variation, it is easy to look at very quickly. We look at them all just to make sure that the athletes that have been sanctioned have been dealt with fairly. We have to look at it from their point as well.”
Howman also praised McDevitt for his handling of the investigation since he took over from former chief executive Aurora Andruska in July.
“I think the way I described it was Ben had to hit the ground running when he started his job and he is still running,” Howman said.
“I think he is running a pretty good race and he is certainly liaising with us in the way we respect.
“As soon as Ben took over he got in touch with me and we have been talking pretty regularly. We understand each other pretty well.
“I have been helping him with issues he needs to think of from our perspective and giving him any guidance he feels he requires.
“Otherwise it’s more information giving from his end to make sure I know what’s going on. That is what we had in the past. It had a bit of a stutter for a while.
“Certainly in recent months it has been very good. If there are decisions taken, they are at least aware of the position we might take in relation to it.
“I think that is helpful.”
Howman also revealed the ASADA inquiry into the NRL and AFL was set to take centre stage next month as part of a conference to discuss anti-doping investigations.
“I think the experience we have learnt from what happened in Australia will be useful for us,” Howman said.
“I am sure it will be useful in the long run for Australia. I think the one thing we all know is once you embark on these sorts of inquiries, the longer they take the more frustrating it is for those involved in it.
“I think the major thing when this thing is finished is to learn from the experience and learn what can be done going forward.’’
Neil Breen ‏@breenie9https://twitter.com/breenie9/status/502610907265261568
