Chook
First Grade
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http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/...-investigation-documents-20140808-1024ah.html
Stunning documents released in the Federal Court on Friday allege the AFL all but knew Essendon was the club being investigated by the Australian Crime Commission last year.
Former AFL chief Andrew Demetriou has previously denied he was told by the ACC in a January 31 meeting last year in Canberra that the Bombers were being probed for alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.
But ahead of Monday's Federal Court hearing brought by Essendon and James Hird, in which they will allege that the joint investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the AFL was unlawful, it has emerged that then AFL deputy chief Gillon McLachlan also attended a meeting alongside Demetriou with the ACC. McLachlan asked the ACC: "Is it Essendon?" ACC investigator Paul Jevtovic replied: "Say no more".
The documents then add: "This was the confirmation to all those in the room that the [Essendon Football Club] was the club under suspicion."
Among hundreds of notes submitted by all parties, Demetriou commented: "A lot not a surprise".
Demetriou has also denied tipping off former Essendon chairman David Evans on February 4.
It has also been revealed former prime minister Julia Gillard pressured ASADA to bring a quick resolution to the supplements saga.
Former anti-doping chief Aurora Andruska has detailed a meeting she had four days after the Bombers self-reported fears of suspected drug use on February 5.
It is alleged at a meeting involving Andruska, McLachlan, Evans, Bombers chief executive Ian Robson and AFL integrity chief Brett Clothier that: "The Commonwealth government took an interest in the investigation from the outset. At a meeting in Canberra on 9 February 2013 between Ms Andruska, Messrs Clothier, McLachlan, Evans and Robson ... it was noted that 'PM wants it to end' and there was a reference to 'criticism of gov'.
"By June 2013, ASADA was coming under pressure from the relevant Commonwealth minister, Kate Lundy MP, to reach some form of conclusion, or 'an outcome' from the investigation."
The Bombers and Hird have submitted a 95-page document.
It has also emerged that Essendon players allege they were threatened with criminal charges if they did not co-operate with the joint AFL-ASADA investigation.
The Bombers and Hird maintain ASADA and the AFL completed a joint investigation, something the parties allege ASADA did not have the power to complete.
_________________________________________________________
McLachlan's position is now completely untenable. Both he and Demetriou lied through their teeth about what they knew and when they knew it.
The entire top echelon of the AFL administration needs to fall on their swords.
Chook.
Stunning documents released in the Federal Court on Friday allege the AFL all but knew Essendon was the club being investigated by the Australian Crime Commission last year.
Former AFL chief Andrew Demetriou has previously denied he was told by the ACC in a January 31 meeting last year in Canberra that the Bombers were being probed for alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.
But ahead of Monday's Federal Court hearing brought by Essendon and James Hird, in which they will allege that the joint investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the AFL was unlawful, it has emerged that then AFL deputy chief Gillon McLachlan also attended a meeting alongside Demetriou with the ACC. McLachlan asked the ACC: "Is it Essendon?" ACC investigator Paul Jevtovic replied: "Say no more".
The documents then add: "This was the confirmation to all those in the room that the [Essendon Football Club] was the club under suspicion."
Among hundreds of notes submitted by all parties, Demetriou commented: "A lot not a surprise".
Demetriou has also denied tipping off former Essendon chairman David Evans on February 4.
It has also been revealed former prime minister Julia Gillard pressured ASADA to bring a quick resolution to the supplements saga.
Former anti-doping chief Aurora Andruska has detailed a meeting she had four days after the Bombers self-reported fears of suspected drug use on February 5.
It is alleged at a meeting involving Andruska, McLachlan, Evans, Bombers chief executive Ian Robson and AFL integrity chief Brett Clothier that: "The Commonwealth government took an interest in the investigation from the outset. At a meeting in Canberra on 9 February 2013 between Ms Andruska, Messrs Clothier, McLachlan, Evans and Robson ... it was noted that 'PM wants it to end' and there was a reference to 'criticism of gov'.
"By June 2013, ASADA was coming under pressure from the relevant Commonwealth minister, Kate Lundy MP, to reach some form of conclusion, or 'an outcome' from the investigation."
The Bombers and Hird have submitted a 95-page document.
It has also emerged that Essendon players allege they were threatened with criminal charges if they did not co-operate with the joint AFL-ASADA investigation.
The Bombers and Hird maintain ASADA and the AFL completed a joint investigation, something the parties allege ASADA did not have the power to complete.
_________________________________________________________
McLachlan's position is now completely untenable. Both he and Demetriou lied through their teeth about what they knew and when they knew it.
The entire top echelon of the AFL administration needs to fall on their swords.
Chook.
