Essendon players facing doping accusations will not join a court battle against ASADA's investigation into the club's 2012 supplement program.
The 34 current and former players fear being publicly named if they formally join Essendon and suspended coach James Hird in their bid to discredit the ASADA and AFL probe.
The players' barrister, David Grace QC, told the Federal Court on Friday the players did not wish to join proceedings and agreed to be bound by the court's ruling in the trial.
Justice John Middleton accepted the players' assurances to accept his decision and ruled they need not join the trial.
Justice Middleton asked Mr Grace to provide a list of the names of the 34 players to the court, but said their identities would remain confidential.
The directions hearing ahead of the August trial continues.
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