The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority has claimed it and the Australian Football League conducted "separate" probes into AFL side Essendon's supplements program, as suspended Essendon coach James Hird "officially dragged" current AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and former CEO Andrew Demetriou into his Federal Court case, according to Jon Pierik of THE AGE. In a "flurry of paperwork lodged in the Federal Court on Wednesday night," the Bombers and Hird argued that the investigation, "as part of Operation Cobia, was 'ultra vires' (beyond the scope)" of ASADA's 2006 Act, its regulations and the National Anti-Doping scheme. In a "curious development," ASADA will ask in the hearing "whether any or all of the 34 former and current Essendon players issued with show-cause notices will need to give evidence or be part of proceedings." Hird "does not want the players involved and the players' lawyers believe they are not required to give evidence" (THE AGE, 6/25). In Sydney, Chip Le Grand reported Hird has flagged his "intention to force" ASADA to produce "all documented communication between senior ASADA and AFL officials throughout the contentious investigation" of the club's '12 supplement regime (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/26).
DANK ARRESTED, RELEASED: In Sydney, Rania Spooner reported Victorian Police arrested and questioned sports scientist Stephen Dank "as part of ongoing investigations." Media outlets "have reported that Dank was questioned over the alleged theft of peptides." Dank is a "central figure" in the AFL and National Rugby League supplements scandals (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 6/25).
