The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will appeal the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal’s decision to clear former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank of 21 doping charges.
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WADA has already lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal’s not guilty decision in regards to the former and current 34 Essendon players and will now force Dank to face a CAS hearing.
“WADA has appealed the AFL Anti-Doping Appeals Tribunal decision to clear Mr. Stephen Dank, a named support person, of 21 charges of the league’s drug code,” WADA Director General David Howman said in a statement.
“After a thorough examination of the evidence contained within the case file, WADA has decided to lodge its independent right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“As with all pending legal cases, WADA will refrain from commenting further on this matter, or indeed its recent appeal on the 34 current and former Essendon AFL players, until any decisions have been made by CAS.”
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) said it supported the global body’s decision in a statement released on Tuesday.
“ASADA notes and welcomes the decision by WADA to appeal the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal’s decision to clear Mr Dank of 21 doping charges,” said ASADA boss Ben McDevitt.
“ASADA will fully support the WADA initiated appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“ASADA will make no further public comment on this matter at this time.”
Dank was found guilty of 10 of his charges in April but was cleared on three charges related to the administering of Thymosin-Beta 4.
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