Organised crime and ElephantJuice in sport investigation part IV

[Card Shark]

Why would ASADA hurry? They'll all have nothing to do after this & all be redundant.

Who works for asada anyway? Real people??

 

[bottle]

Why would ASADA hurry? They'll all have nothing to do after this & all be redundant.

Who works for asada anyway? Real people??

No, marionettes, A bit like the Thunderbirds. Controlled by Labor Party hacks apparently according to some.
Their catch cry before going into action is 'ASADA is Go',

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/where-are-the-charges-20131013-2vgnz.html

Where are the charges?

Date
October 14, 2013

Roy Masters
Rugby League Columnist


Stephen Dank has denied any wrongdoing, but close followers of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation into the AFL and NRL are perplexed as to why the sports scientist was not served with an infraction notice as early as March.

If the delay is due to doubts that he qualifies as a ''support person'' under the World Anti-Doping Agency's original rules - from which ASADA draws its regulations - they can be dispelled by a definition so broad it covers just about anyone who ever entered a locker room. Dank, although not paid by some clubs, qualifies as a support person because he treated AFL and NRL players.

According to former Canberra player Sandor Earl, who alleges Dank supplied him with CJC-1295, a prohibited substance, on more than 10 occasions, Dank could be charged with trafficking and therefore banned for life.

If the evidence against Dank is so compelling, he may not even be interviewed by ASADA, raising the question why he has not already been served with an infraction notice. The delay in charging him has raised fears he could have been treating other players in the interim. But ASADA merely orders infraction notices, rather than issues them. It is the responsibility of a sport to serve the notices and convene a tribunal.

It can happen quickly. It took only 48 hours for the NRL to serve Earl with a notice after being advised by ASADA.

As Dank's most recent AFL/NRL employment was with Essendon, together with the AFL's more rigorous registration system, this code would be the more likely to issue the notice.

Unlike Cronulla, where an internal report names two banned ElephantJuice taken by players, Essendon claims there are doubts about what substances were injected into its players on multiple occasions.

Fears that Dank might instigate legal action, protesting a denial of natural justice, are at odds with the Lance Armstrong case, according to legal sources. Armstrong initially went to the US courts to block US Anti-Doping Agency action, but a judge threw it out, insisting the cyclist first have his case heard by sport.

From August 1, ASADA has had enhanced powers from Federal Parliament, compelling witnesses to come forward. If ASADA has evidence against Dank that is sufficiently weighty - even without an interview - to order an infraction notice, it is likely charges against AFL players are imminent, with NRL players to follow by the end of the year.

The AFL investigation was well advanced by the time the interviews began with NRL players, principally because ASADA did not have its additional powers then and had to rely on AFL rules to compel players to come forward.

This resulted in a joint investigation between ASADA and the AFL, leading to an interim report erroneously branded an ASADA report, despite it being a narrative to satisfy the AFL's code of conduct and allowing it to charge four Essendon officials, including coach James Hird. It is almost certainly the last joint report that will be done between a sport and an anti-doping authority.

Punishment of Sharks officials under the NRL doping code is a possibility.

As for infraction notices against players, former ASADA chief Richard Ings tweeted: ''It's not a case of if, it's a question of when and how many.''

 

[Card Shark]

Interesting that last paragraph.

I know Ings has a bit of an agenda but he should know what he's talking about?? I just can't understand why it is taking so long. Surely they were well advanced when the infamous press conference was held.

They've had that new legislation for a couple of months now yet Dank remains un-interviewed. He's got em conned.

 

[Canard]

Interesting that last paragraph.

I know Ings has a bit of an agenda but he should know what he's talking about?? I just can't understand why it is taking so long. Surely they were well advanced when the infamous press conference was held.

They've had that new legislation for a couple of months now yet Dank remains un-interviewed. He's got em conned.

Didn't he tweet that back in Aug/Sep? Its dragged on long enough now, however most people have been saying in the last month or so it was to be in the weeks after the Grand Finals. (But who knows?)

Are the criminal investigations delaying something?

 

[El Diablo]

imagine if the NRL did this to the DT over their reporting of things eg Jon Mannah

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...ategy-at-fairfax/story-e6frfkp9-1226739256798

Herald Sun v AFL

THE AFL season may be over but the bad blood continues to simmer. A number of tipsters told Diary relations between the AFL and the key footy paper in Melbourne, the Herald Sun, were at an all-time low. That may be a slight exaggeration, but things certainly do not appear to be rosy between the code and the paper.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou's campaign against certain journalists continued through the finals, with some journos from the Hun and this paper losing their accreditation or press box seats and/or being "sent to Coventry" by the boss. At issue remains the contentious Herald Sun reporting of the AFL's "Night of Crisis" piece in June in which Demetriou phoned Essendon boss David Evans ahead of the club's self-reporting of drug inconsistencies. Then there's erroneous gossip about a supposed taped phone row featuring the AFL boss being replayed, to some joy. News Corp Australia's Victorian managing director Peter Blunden said the worst of the blue was over and the relationship was "cordial". "There's always going to be occasional tension, particularly in the toughest year in AFL history," he said. "The way we report things isn't always the way the AFL would like them reported." One reporter in the firing line told Diary it appeared the AFL was shooting the messenger; it only reported revelations about Demetriou's contentious phone call made to ASADA by former Essendon coach James Hird.

 

[Canard]

imagine if the NRL did this to the DT over their reporting of things eg Jon Mannah

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...ategy-at-fairfax/story-e6frfkp9-1226739256798

Difference is that the paper is never negative about the AFL, and especially NEVER negative about any of its players or clubs.

Even this issue is them reporting Essendon's side of the story in a way that the layman on the street would perceive that the AFL was just "looking after its clubs and players".

The Herald Sun got killed by Fairfax in the reporting of this stuff, absolutely out of touch and read the tea leaves way wrong.

 

[Card Shark]

Difference is that the paper is never negative about the AFL, and especially NEVER negative about any of its players or clubs.

Is it because the Victorian public believe their game (& all in it) is perfect & any criticism of it will lead to a downturn in sales?

Up here News Ltd think different & any crap they can conjure up sells more papers. Trouble is, it's wearing thin.

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...to-give-evidence/story-e6frg7mf-1226739863892

ASADA wields its latest weapon to compel witness to give evidence

Brent Read
The Australian
October 15, 2013 12:00AM

THE Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority has broken new ground by using its freshly-minted powers of coercion to compel a witness to provide evidence as part of the ongoing investigation into supplement use in the NRL and AFL.

The Australian was yesterday told a figure involved with the AFL side of the inquiry had been issued with a request for interview using the new powers, which were enacted on August 1.

Under the ASADA Amendment Bill, the anti-doping body was given the power to compel people to attend interviews and hand over documentation.

Those who refuse to comply face fines of $5100 for each day they fail to co-operate. It is understood the subject of ASADA's interest will comply with the request, thereby avoiding any sanction.

However, ASADA's use of its new power signals the latest escalation in the investigation, which began in early February and is expected to continue until the latter stages of this year, and possibly into 2014. For much of the year, ASADA has focused its energies on interviewing athletes and support staff, all of whom were required to co-operate as a result of their involvement with the AFL and NRL.

As such, ASADA had no need to use its coercive powers. That situation has now changed as ASADA zeroes in on figures on the periphery of the two sports.

Inevitably, questions will be raised over whether ASADA - having signalled its intent to use its coercive powers - will move on sports scientist Steve Dank.

It is understood Dank is yet to be contacted by ASADA despite the investigation centering on the period in which he was involved with clubs across both codes.

Regardless, he has already indicated he will take legal action should ASADA attempt to use its new powers to compel him to provide evidence.

"ASADA is unable to talk publicly about the specifics of its investigation until such time as its legislation permits," an ASADA spokesman said.

"This ensures the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of any individual under investigation is protected."

The latest developments came as ASADA descended on the Australian rugby league team, conducting drug tests only hours before the players were due to leave for the World Cup.

The players were shadowed at their base in Sydney before later departing for the airport and the long flight to England.

The presence of drug testers was a reminder of the shadow which will hover over all sides at the tournament.

Those concerns will be on the table again tonight when tournament organisers hold further discussions over contingency plans should any of the sides competing be affected by the investigation.

Under the rules as they stand, countries are not allowed to replace any players once the tournament begins. That raises the spectre of players being issued with infraction notices and nations being unable to replace them in their squads.

Australia coach Tim Sheens has raised his concerns with those in authority but he declined to discuss them prior to departure.

"My attitude is I am coaching the side," Sheens said. "I am not going to worry about what might or might not happen there."

Meanwhile, the NRL yesterday announced it had appointed Mark Wilson as its new chief financial officer.

Wilson, who will start on October 21, has spent more than 25 years working for some of Australia's leading public companies.

 

[Twizzle]

"ASADA is unable to talk publicly about the specifics of its investigation until such time as its legislation permits," an ASADA spokesman said.

so how can The Australian make statements like

The Australian was yesterday told a figure involved with the AFL side of the inquiry had been issued with a request for interview using the new powers, which were enacted on August 1.

told by whom ?

their mate at the pub ?

 

[Canard]

so how can The Australian make statements like



told by whom ?

their mate at the pub ?

It could have been leaked by someone in the AFL or within the club the person may be involved with, or even by the person's legal team.

 

[Parra]

or by ASADA.

Got to keep things simmering. If this falls right out of the papers people might forget all about it.

 

[Canard]

or by ASADA.

Got to keep things simmering. If this falls right out of the papers people might forget all about it.

Possibly but the ALP conspiracy isn't what it used to be is it?

Seriously, though all this Essendon style "there is leaks" stuff is just pure deflection of the real issue.

 

[El Diablo]

why does it take 3 of them to write a simple article :crazy:

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...pplement-program/story-e6frfkp9-1226741260187

Front-rower Josh Cordoba becomes second player to launch legal action against Cronulla Sharks over 2011 supplement program

James Hooper, Josh Massoud and Rebecca Wilson
The Daily Telegraph
October 17, 2013 12:00AM

FORMER Sharks forward Josh Cordoba has become the club's second ex-player to commence legal action over the controversial 2011 supplement program.

News Limited can reveal Cordoba has hired the same law firm to advance his damages claim as former teammate Isaac Gordon, who commenced proceedings in July.

Both players are now living in central Queensland, working in mines surrounding Gladstone, after being released from Cronulla last year.

Gordon has been the poster boy for health concerns surrounding the supplement program after emerging from a game in May 2011 with severe bruising down the length of one of his legs.

An independent investigation found players were given peptides CJC-1295 and GHRP-6 in the form of injections, then creams and tablets, while Gordon was also advised to take BB Formula — traditionally used on racehorses — to help him put on weight.

Cordoba was a member of the Sharks team for most of the 11 matches that the program covered.

The program is now the centrepiece of ASADA’s NRL investigation, with players who might have been exposed to banned substances in danger of two-year bans.

As ASADA and the NRL move closer to finalising their investigation into Cronulla and announcing any punishments against players, staff or club, Sharks officials have become increasingly concerned about the prospect of widespread legal action.

Sharks CEO Steve Noyce on Wednesday night confirmed the club received a legal letter from Cordoba’s solicitor, James Chrara, in the past month.

Cordoba declined to comment on Wednesday night.

Chrara, however, confirmed the 28-year-old had approached his firm, Shine Lawyers, several months ago to seek damages from the Sharks.

At present there is no evidence Cordoba suffered the same type of bruising as Gordon in 2011.

But Chrara believed clinical records could show Cordoba has a case against the club, because he was administered with substances that were allegedly different to those to which he originally consented, none of which were banned.

"It’s an almost identical complaint (as Gordon)," Chrara said.

"Josh was part of the same program. At present there is no evidence of physical (outward) damage, but there may be something inside. That’s what we are continuing to investigate and we have asked Cronulla for records.

"But certain elements of the claim stand regardless of what they show, because it’s our belief there has been a trespass against Josh."

 

[Griffoshark66]

Maybe we can return serve by seeking damages for having to watch Cordoba play. merkin.

 

[Card Shark]

Maybe we can return serve by seeking damages for having to watch Cordoba play. merkin.

Tip of the iceberg I'm afraid Griffo. There are so many ex-sharks out there, either retired or at other clubs.

We will be going through legal proceedings for ever & a day

 

[The Elephant In The room]

Sadly, I'd suggest this will be the start of an avalanche of claims against the Sharks, particularly if players get banned for taking substances that were different to what they consented to (as suggested by the article).

I just hope the media don't dredge up the Jon Mannah story again, unless instigated by the family.

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/wada-to-target-doping-coaches/story-e6frg7mf-1226741298702

WADA to target doping coaches

Brent Read
The Australian
October 17, 2013 12:00AM

WORLD Anti-Doping Agency president John Fahey will today outline proposed changes to the anti-doping code that would result in the NRL and AFL being forced to act against coaches and support staff who use substances that are banned for their players.

And athletes who attempt to intimidate or interfere with potential witnesses could face sanctions for tampering under the proposed revisions, which are expected to be ratified by WADA's foundation board at its world conference in Johannesburg next month.

The changes, which will form part of a speech by Fahey at the Australia New Zealand Sports Law Association conference in Brisbane, resonate given events of the past eight months during which the country's premier footballing codes have been under the microscope of doping authorities over their use of supplements.

Among the more alarming allegations raised was the suggestion by sports scientist Stephen Dank and fitness trainer Dean Robinson that former Essendon coach James Hird and members of his staff were injected with the drug Hexarelin, a substance that is banned for players.

Hird, who is serving a one-year ban, denied the claims and it was not among the charges raised against him by the AFL.

Regardless, the AFL is under no compunction to act against coaches or support staff found to have used banned substances.

That would change under the proposals put forward to WADA, which would require international federations to bring in rules covering coaches, trainers and other support staff.

"Doping frequently involves coaches, trainers, or other athlete support personnel," Fahey will say in his speech, which The Australian obtained last night.

"Additionally, in many cases, those athlete support personnel are outside the jurisdiction of anti-doping authorities. There was widespread support among the stakeholders to revise the code to better address the problem of the role of athlete support personnel in doping."



"A new Article 21.2.6 provides that 'athlete support personnel shall not use or possess any prohibited substance or prohibited method without valid justification'. Violation of this article by an athlete support personnel is not an anti-doping rule violation, but does give rise to disciplinary action under sport disciplinary rules.

"To enforce this, Articles 20.3.15 and 20.4.13 require international federations and national Olympic committees to have disciplinary rules in place which prevent Athlete Support Personnel who violate Article 21.2.6 from providing support to athletes."

WADA will also weigh up changes that would result in sanctions for anyone who attempts to intimidate a witness.

During the investigation into Cronulla, several Sharks players were alleged to have visited the home of former trainer Trent Elkin after they discovered he had provided evidence to authorities.

Those players could be subject to sanctions under the proposed changes had they been found to have intimidated Elkin.

"The text of the violation for tampering has been expanded to include intentionally interfering or attempting to interfere with a doping control official; providing fraudulent information to an anti-doping organisation, or intimidating or attempting to intimidate a potential witness," Fahey will say in the speech.

JOSH Cordoba has become the second former Cronulla player to take legal action against the NRL club over its 2011 supplements program.

Cordoba has hired the same legal firm as former teammate Isaac Gordon, who begun action in July, News Corp Australia newspapers report today.

Cronulla chief executive Steve Noyce last night confirmed the club had received a legal letter from Cordoba's solicitor. Cordoba declined to comment last night.

 

[Twizzle]

"A new Article 21.2.6 provides that 'athlete support personnel shall not use or possess any prohibited substance or prohibited method without valid justification'. Violation of this article by an athlete support personnel is not an anti-doping rule violation, but does give rise to disciplinary action under sport disciplinary rules.

So if I am understanding this correctly, WADA are bringing in new rules and they obviously cant take retrospective action on a new law, but they expect the NRL and AFL to take retrospective disciplinary action on new laws ?

 

[Frailty]

Gordon and Cordoba's legal action are both very weak cases that are likely to be thrown out on the first day they are in court.