Over the last 48 hours, the Essendon Football Club has received information about supplements that have been given to our players as part of the fitness program in 2012.

Given the information we received and the questions it has raised, we have taken the following action:

Firstly we, consulted with our staff,  briefed our Board and all our players.

Secondly,  we contacted the AFL and earlier today we met with Gillon McLachlan and Brett Clothier to brief them, and to seek advice. Following that discussion we requested that the AFL commence an immediate investigation.

Thirdly, today the Essendon Football Club contacted ASADA, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and requested their assistance in an investigation, and we offered the full cooperation of everyone at the club.  ASADA has informed us that they will commence the investigation immediately.

Of course, this is very distressing for our club, our Executive, our players and our board.   We believe as a club that we have done everything to be compliant with the rules and regulations of the AFL and ASADA.

But, the integrity of the club is critical for the people sitting at this table – and of course for the broader Essendon family, and that is why we have moved quickly today to call the AFL and ASADA to seek a clean bill of health.

I appreciate that there is a lot of questions and many that we will not be able to answer today.
We want this investigation to go where it will, and our club at every level will cooperate.  We believe that we have acted today in a sensible and responsible way, and we now want the investigation to take its course.