Australian Football League (AFL) club Essendon intends to plead guilty to charges that it failed to provide its players with a safe working environment during its 2011/12 supplements programme. A mention hearing was held yesterday at Melbourne Magistrates Court, where the club told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) that it intends to plead guilty. The Melbourne club is due back for a plea hearing on 22 December.

WorkSafe Victoria is charging Essendon with two breaches of the Victoria’s Occupational Heath and Safety Act 2004. ‘The charges are: One breach of section 21(1) – failing to provide and maintain for employees a working environment that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health’, read a 9 November statement. The second charge is a ‘breach of 21(2)(a) – failing to provide and maintain for employees a system of work that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health’. WorkSafe Victoria decided against charging the AFL with breaches of the OHS Act 2004, arguing ‘it could not be established to the requisite standard that the AFL breached the OHS Act’.

Documents before the court argue that the club should have given the club doctor a summary of all clinical findings of a substance, its known and possible short and long-term side effects and a statement it did not contravene any World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) guidelines, report AAP. The also argue that the club doctor should have made a recommendation about the suitability of the product for Essendon players and that if the substance is recommended by the club doctor, players should be given a letter of consent to sign.

On 16 November in Sydney, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) began a hearing into WADA’s appeal against the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal’s decision to clear 34 Essendon players of breaching AFL anti-doping rules. It is understood that the hearing has been completed, but it is reported that a decision may not be released until the new year.