ESSENDON'S SUPPLEMENTS SAGA CONTINUES
WHAT HAS HAPPENED?
The World Anti-Doping Agency says it plans to appeal the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal verdict which cleared 34 current and former Essendon players of taking banned drugs.
WHO HEARS THE APPEAL
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, since 1984 the over-riding global sporting court.
WHAT IS CAS?
Tasked with resolving legal disputes in sport through arbitration, its rulings have the same enforceability as judgements of ordinary courts.
WHEN WILL THEY HEAR IT?
Not sure. The hearing, when set, could take four weeks; hopefully all done and dusted within six months.
WHAT HAPPENS TO ESSENDON PLAYERS NOW?
Apart from briefing lawyers, not much - they'll continue to play in the AFL.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
WADA will formally lodge its statement of appeal to the CAS court office. Essendon will likely have to respond before a panel of three arbitrators, who have had no previous contact with the case, hear the appeal. Weeks later, a ruling will be delivered.
THEN, IT'S OVER?
Judicial recourse against CAS rulings to the Swiss Federal Tribunal is allowed only on a very limited number of grounds.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT WADA V ESSENDON
ESSENDON
"They've been proven innocent once and they'll be proven innocent again." Coach James Hird on the 34 current and ex-Bomber players.
"Everyone involved has pretty much got their lives back ... but now it looks like we have to jump back on the horse." Chairman Paul Little.
WADA
"After a thorough examination of the evidence contained within the file, WADA has decided to lodge its independent right of appeal." WADA director general David Howman.
AFL
"My views on the players are well known. They've shown extraordinary resilience so far and they'll be required to have that again." AFL chief executive Gill McLachlan
ASADA
"ASADA has handed over a comprehensive brief of evidence to assist WADA in its preparation for the CAS hearing." ASADA chief executive officer Ben McDevitt
AFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
"We are extremely disappointed for the players, who have had to endure over two years of uncertainty, and will now have to endure further stress and the inevitable disruption to their playing careers." AFLPA chief Paul Marsh
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