The political interference - ALP wanted Essendon punished

[Gavstar]

I think its pretty obvious that the AFL including the new CEO had some pretty clear views on how this should be cleaned up prior to a proper investigation being conducted. These coincided with the ALP's view to clean the mess up quickly. EFC initially wanted the mess cleaned up but have gone ape when the SC were issued.

EFC/HIRD have gone after the organisation that has played as straight a bat as it could given the national impact of the investigation. ASADA has not played ball by sticking to its remit that it has focused not on pleasing the AFL or the government or doing deals but has instead in the long term focussed on the alleged PED taking by EFC players.

Hird would have had a strong case to take the AFL to court to avoid the penalties but chose not to. His testimony seemed to be all about damaging the AFL, revenge has been his primary focus.

The new AFL CEO should step down given the admitted role he has played, unfortunately you can't fire Vlad.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

government should never be involved in investigations which are meant to be independent
this is a serious matter

ASADA are government. Politicians shouldn't unduly influence investigations is more to the point.

It's still not the main show in town however. No breach, no investigation, no political point scoring, no sideshow court cases discussing ways of suppressing evidence.

 

[Old Dark Blues]

THE Gillard government wanted Essendon stripped of premiership points and club employees sacked amid growing concern they “over-egged’’ the release of an Australian Crime Commission report into drugs in sport on the so-called “blackest day in Australian sport.’’

Hi - can you please provide us the quote where the Gillard Government said, specifically that:

A - They said they wanted Essendon stripped of points.
B-They said they wanted Essendon employees sacked.

Can you provide that ?

No ?

This is just a bullshit slander operation ?


Gee Whiz - not like Essendon's primary PR avenue to be attacking everyone around them, hurling false accusations, and generally behaving like petulant children without a skerric of maturity or even common decency.



You were injecting dementia drugs and experimental animal drugs into vulnerable young men, some barely out of their teens for personal gain and glory of the club and absolutely zero consideration for them, their future lives, health or well being.

An absolutely repugnant, beyond sickening dereliction of common human decency - and then you try to smear the previous government for wanting to expedite the process because it was so distasteful. Wow. You really have found a new way to dig below rock bottom.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

You were injecting dementia drugs and experimental animal drugs into vulnerable young men, some barely out of their teens for personal gain and glory of the club and absolutely zero consideration for them, their future lives, health or well being.

An absolutely repugnant, beyond sickening dereliction of common human decency - and then you try to smear the previous government for wanting to expedite the process because it was so distasteful. Wow. You really have found a new way to dig below rock bottom.

classic

 

[thejester]

It's obvious, but probably worth emphasising that 'in time for finals' also meant 'in time for the election'.

 

[BF Tiger]

Just another side issue.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

It's obvious, but probably worth emphasising that 'in time for finals' also meant 'in time for the election'.

Except the government don't care about the former and the AFL don't care about the latter. The AFL weren't pushing for an interim report to help the government get re - elected.

Pollies suggest, imply, encourage constantly to suit their agenda. The test is for the public servant to pass the ethics test and stick to their ethics.

 

[Crawb]

Damn Bulldogs supporters - always out to get Essendon when they have the chancee

 

[Slax]

Whilst some might think she was singling out Essendon willing to bet the same things were being said to the NRL about Cronulla as well. But no doubt the government wanted scalps to parade around after the three ring circus that was the 'blackest day in Australian sport'.

The craziest part about the whole thing was that ASADA themselves hated the press conference sideshow far more than any of the CEOs who attended.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Just when you thought this whole episode couldn't become any more dull, we get a thread like this one.

 

[lysp]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-...don-inquiry-court-hears/5667898?section=sport

 

[Albert Ross]

It's obvious, but probably worth emphasising that 'in time for finals' also meant 'in time for the election'.

Yeah because upsetting the population of the EFC heartland would be a massive boost to Bill Shorten in Maribyrnong. Or to the seats of Wills, Calwell or Gellibrand.

 

[Chadwiko]

So just to recap;

1) The Australian Government Sports Minister was kept informed about a matter of public interest occuring in Australia's biggest sport; and
2) News Ltd is publishing something unflattering towards Labor?

Stop the presses!

 

[Albert Ross]

So just to recap;

1) The Australian Government Sports Minister was kept informed about a matter of public interest occuring in Australia's biggest sport; and
2) News Ltd is publishing something unflattering towards Labor?

Stop the presses!

You missed the bit where Homer Eugence Le Grand V believes in conspiracy theories.

 

[skipper kelly]

wrong government for this thread to get any traction.

 

[threesixpio]

While I appreciate your unwavering support for your club that last line of yours is a little too Go West!

I don't agree with Lance all the time but the HTB would likely be poorer without him!!

We will see whether the players can mount any argument re the reliability of the evidence based on political pressure if they dispute the SCNs. In and of itself I agree that a government being interested may not amount to much.

 

[BomberBro2]

This is an interesting topic - today emerges proof that the Australian government influenced proceedings due to public image of Australian sport, rather than letting the investigation come to a conclusion based purely upon objectively obtained facts.

 

[hoianbulldog]

the political interference angle deserves it's own thread. Summarised by le Grand in The Australian

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...ssendon-punished/story-fn59niix-1227022281876

THE Gillard government wanted Essendon stripped of premiership points and club employees sacked amid growing concern they “over-egged’’ the release of an Australian Crime Commission report into drugs in sport on the so-called “blackest day in Australian sport.’’

Revealing the level of political involvement in the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL’s joint investigation of Essendon, former ASADA chief executive Aurora Andruska recounted to the Federal Court former sports minister Kate Lundy’s determination to strike a deal to punish Essendon.


This angle is reinforced today by ASADA investigator's sworn testimony

Chris Kaias @ChrisKaias · 17s
Walker confirms frequent chats in office about the investigation. And weekly updates to the Canberra office


Could end up being the biggest story of the lot.

They already copped a 9 year suspension although they could be released in 3 with bad behavior credits (not theirs).

 

[Art Corvelay]

This is an interesting topic - today emerges proof that the Australian government influenced proceedings due to public image of Australian sport, rather than letting the investigation come to a conclusion based purely upon objectively obtained facts.

Attempted to, not did.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Attempted to, not did.

And also put in "alleged".

 

[BomberBro2]

Attempted to, not did.

The more the truth comes out, the less credibility this investigation retains. Whether it erodes enough for us to win the case, I don't know. But the more that doubts are raised over the investigation process, the less damage to our reputation long-term IMO.

 

[KM00]

My point was that unless things are fully investigated following due process, we would be the laughing stock of global sport and that would hold ramifications in the future. If Essendon were to get off and ASADA were complicit in their investigational duties, WADA would rightly step in with their own investigation.

Whilst any of the parties could take it to CAS, it's reasonably foreseeable that CAS would not want to interfere until all normal avenues of investigation had been followed. The CAS is more of a final appeal I would think rather than being seen to be meddling in the affairs or a domestic tribunal or specific body set up to investigate and prosecute/clear alleged drug allegations.

Actually - the parties can apply to have the case heard before the CAS as a first hearing instead of only on appeal if they choose.

And in this case - where the AFL has already shown itself to be less than independent in this matter - I would suggest it might be a good idea.

Really, who is going to trust the AFL tribunal to hear the matter objectively?

 

[The Filth]

classic

...and accurate Lance?
The question still remains. What did the players take?
Unless the details of what was administered to the players is held up to full legal scrutiny and publicly disclosed, Essendon FC will remain tarnished as drug cheats.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

pwn3d by pazza.

That's it for me than, BigFooty, it's been real.

Damn man. I never saw that coming.

 

[dmc333]

I don't doubt it, but what did they get from their wish list?