ASADA will not appeal the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal's decision to clear 34 past and present Essendon players over the club's 2012 supplements program.

The Australian anti-doping body has also announced it will not appeal any of the findings in relation to the case of former Bombers sports scientist Stephen Dank.

It had until Tuesday to appeal the decision, but confirmed on Monday it would not go forward with in any appeal despite an investigation that spanned over two years.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has a further 21 days after Tuesday to decide if it will lodge an appeal. 

ASADA released the following statement:

ASADA CEO Ben McDevitt has today announced that he will not appeal to the AFL Anti-Doping Appeals Tribunal in respect of the findings in relation to 34 current and former Essendon players and one support person, Stephen Dank.

‘As with all other decisions I have made in these matters this decision has largely been informed by comprehensive legal advice.

‘I am conscious that ASADA does not have a direct right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the only appeal avenue open to ASADA at this time is to the AFL Anti-Doping Appeals Tribunal. I am also aware that appealing any of these decisions within the AFL framework would ultimately serve only to delay consideration of these matters by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

‘I have therefore arranged to provide the entire case file encompassing all 35 matters to WADA for its independent review. This is in accordance with global anti-doping protocols. WADA will then be able to make an independent decision as to whether to exercise its appeal options.

‘ASADA will support any WADA initiated appeal in relation to these matters.

‘In the interests of transparency, I would welcome the fullest possible release of the Tribunal’s findings and reasons on all of these matters,’ said Mr McDevitt.