AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said on Friday speculation that penalties had already been determined for Essendon was nonsense.
Demetriou insists he still doesn't know when the league will make a finding on the Essendon supplements saga or even what the next steps in the process are.
Demetriou said no deals were being made with the Bombers and the league would treat all parties fairly, without fear or favour.
He said it was still hoped the matter would be resolved before finals begin on September 6.
But he said he was no closer to knowing whether Essendon would be stripped of their place in the finals, as no penalties had yet been determined.
"There's absolutely no pre-determination of penalties because there are no charges that have been laid yet," Demetriou told reporters.
"And any talk about speculation around penalties is just pure scuttlebutt, nonsense, rumour, not helpful.
"People who think they've got an inside knowledge are just kidding themselves.
"There's been no discussion around anything to do with penalties, charges, because we're waiting on general counsel."
Demetriou said reports the AFL Commission were scheduled to meet on Monday were incorrect, with their next meeting due on August 26, although they could call an earlier meeting if needed.
The league boss said it was up to the AFL's general counsel Andrew Dillon, who took possession of ASADA's interim report last Friday, to make recommendations to the commission and as yet he had not done so, nor given them any indication of when that would happen.
Demetriou says Dillon is reviewing the report.
He said he could not even be sure whether the league might delay a decision until ASADA completes their investigation, rather than rely on the interim report.
"I've read it but we are now awaiting the views of our general counsel to tell us whether there is anything to be answered for before the finals," Demetriou told 3AW Radio.
He was adamant no deals were being made with the Bombers over a penalty, although he said there were expected to be negotiations over timeframes, how the process was carried out and which details are made public.
"No deals have been done, as has been perceived and portrayed in recent days," Demetriou told ABC Radio.
"But there are always discussions between respective legal teams about process as there should be, particularly if there are to be charges."
Demetriou said the drawn-out nature of the supplements scandal, which first became public in February, had caused lots of grief amongst people.
"There is a cloud over the season," he said.
"Everyone wants some answers and they're entitled to get answers.
"The sooner we can be able to say something about the answers, that would be a preference for everyone."
