McLachlan has denied ASADA has offered Essendon players reduced six-months bans, but admit it could be considered.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan denies ASADA has offered Essendon players reduced six-month bans for their involvement in the club’s supplements scandal.
With Cronulla Sharks players today due to accept or reject ASADA’s reduced bans, reports emerged that Essendon players had also been handed an offer of reduced six-month bans.
McLachlan told ABC Radio this morning that he was not aware of any offer.
He went on the say that he had spoken to ASADA boss Ben McDevitt after the reports emerged.
“I know that Ben has been out there talking about, that under the act, that his view is that substantial assistance and no fault negligence would broadly apply here and I think there has been discussions historically with him and the players’ representatives,” McLachlan said.
“But he has not tabled anything with me and to make sure I’m not going mad or I haven’t checked my emails, I’ve just been speaking to him (McDevitt).”
McLachlan did admit however that reduced bans for the Essendon players is something that could possibly be considered.
“That’s available under the act,” he said.
“It’s always been known and obviously it’s theoretically available in this case, but it comes with the condition of a guilty plea.”
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