The Australian government has promised to crack down on match-fixing after a report into doping and organised crime in sport revealed those links had led to manipulation of results.
The report by the Australian Crime Commission found the use of illicit substances was 'widespread' in Australian sport and often facilitated by organised crime syndicates.
(Read the full ACC report, Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport, here)
Justice Minister Jason Clare told a news conference there was a risk of players involved in the use of drugs might be co-opted into match-fixing. No details of match fixing were made public.
Meanwhile, Victorian police say they are still seeking legal advice over whether anyone can actually be criminally charged with performance enhancing drugs. Read more.
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'Blackest day in Australian Sport'
News of widespread doping is the "blackest day in Australian sport", according to former Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority boss Richard Ings.
"This is not a black day in Australian sport, this is the blackest day in Australian sport," Ings told ABC News 24.
Ings added that the shocking findings had their roots in networks established when ASADA was set up.
"When ASADA was launched in 2006 one of the mandates from both sides of government was for ASADA to develop pro-active relationships with agencies of law enforcement," he said.
"And in that time ASADA has developed relationships with Customs, the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Crime Commission to show leadership in developing a co-ordinated anti-doping framework.
"This is the fruits of that labour going back many years."
Doping findings 'no surprise'
World Anti Doping Chief John Fahey says that claims of widespread use of banned drugs in Australian sport didn't surprise him.
"I found the report -- what I've seen of it so far -- alarming, but have to say I'm not surprised. It seems to be a history in sport that you'll only address these issues when something surfaces and you'll try and avoid it until that time," he said.
"That was the case in the Olympic movement with doping, it's the case in cycling we've seen so much of in recent times, and now sadly it's the case it seems in here Australia.
"And what we need to do is to ensure that going forward we make sure we weed it all out."
WATCH: Doping findings no surprise, says WADA chief
The Minister for Sport, Kate Lundy, said members of the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports have agreed to a number of actions, including the development of integrity units within particular codes.
Cricket
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said he was shocked over allegations of doping within Australian sport, and claimed there was no specific evidence or links known to cricket.
"But no sport can afford anything other than constant vigilance," he said in post on the Cricket Australia website.
"Sport is an important part of the Australian way of life and fans rightly have high expectations of Australian sports' integrity."
Cricket Australia will implement a review of its integrity controls in response to the report.
NRL
The NRL today also announced it has established a fully resourced Integrity Unit.
NRL CEO, Mr Dave Smith said in a press release Rugby League would be strong in meeting emerging threats in world sport:
“As sports we have to get this right and we will.
“We are committed to working with ASADA and the Government in dealing with these threats and in addition to that will strengthen our own investigative capability.
“Regardless of the outcome of those investigations, there is an opportunity here to take the initiative in terms of the integrity of in sport.
“Our fans and the absolute majority of our players deserve nothing less.”
AFL
A full statement has been issued from AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, who said he supported the recommendations from the ACC and federal government.
“Protecting the integrity of our competition has been a key priority for the AFL for several years. The report findings are deeply concerning on a number of levels for all sports fans, athletes and administrators,” he said.
“They highlight the need for vigilance and also the necessity for all professional sports bodies to take proactive steps to secure the integrity of their competitions against a backdrop of increased use of Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs and the involvement of organised crime gangs.”
“Under the WADA code, it is very clear the use of performance-enhancing drugs has no place in sport, and obviously we support that principle,” Mr Demetriou said. “I urge any current or former player or club official with knowledge of inappropriate behaviour or activity to come forward and assist our efforts.
“Plans are also underway for the AFL to add to its integrity capabilities in the coming weeks so we remain at the forefront of efforts in Australian sport to combat corruption risks.”
Earlier: ACC announces damning report into Australian sport
A detailed report into drug use in Australian sport has drawn an alarming picture of drug use and corruption within a number of codes.
Justice Minister Jason Clare called the findings "shocking" and said they'll "disgust Australians" as he opened a press conference on the matter this morning.
"We've found the use of prohibited substances including peptides, hormones and illicit drugs is widespread among elite athletes," he said.
"We're talking about multiple athletes across a number of codes."
He said the findings point to the involvement of teams of people in what appeared to be systematic administrations of substance abuse.
"The findings indicate the drugs are being facilitated by sports scientists, coaches, support staff as well as doctors and pharmacists."
Link to organised crime
Mr Clare outlined a link between illegal drug use in sporting circles and organised crime.
"The investigation has also found organised crime is involved in the distribution of these drugs. This is particularly serious."
The Crime Commission is believed to be investigating "at least one possible example" of the involvement of organised crime.
WATCH: Findings of ACC report announced
