Amended show-cause notices have been issued to the 34 players embroiled in AFL club Essendon’s supplements saga.
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Asada) has confirmed it has reissued the notices to those Bombers who were allegedly administered the banned peptide thymosin beta 4 in 2012.
Asada says each amended notice is individually tailored and approximately 350 pages in length, with each notice including a comprehensive summary of the evidence against each player.
Players have 10 days to lodge a submission to the independent Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel (ADRVP) in response.
However, Asada says it will consider requests from any of the 34 players who want additional time to make a submission.
Asada expects the ADRVP will hear the 34 matters in early November.
“Due to the complexity and volume of material, this process may take longer than normal for appropriate deliberation,” Asada said in a statement.
Bombers coach James Hird’s appeal against a ruling that Asada’s investigation was lawful will be heard on 10 November.
The club decided not to appeal against the verdict, with the players also taking no part in the legal challenge.
The majority of the 34 implicated in the scandal remain part of the Bombers’ squad.
Ruckman Paddy Ryder, who joined Port Adelaide on the final day of trade period, is among the minority at rival clubs.
The ADRVP’s decision will be delivered to Asada chief Ben McDevitt, who will notify the AFL.
