All members of the ‘Essendon 34’ recently suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport have lodged an appeal against the verdict that found them guilty of anti-doping offences in January.
Current Power-listed players Angus Monfries and Paddy Ryder are among the group banned in the verdict until November 13 this year.
The AFL Players Association confirmed the appeal against the CAS decision today, with papers to be lodged with the Swiss Federal Supreme Court later on Thursday.
AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh said the 34 players had elected to lodge the appeal in an effort to clear their names.
“The players have decided to exercise their legal right to an appeal in an endeavour to clear their name and ensure that a just outcome is achieved,” Marsh said.
“The decision to appeal was a decision for each individual player alone having regard for their own circumstances.
“The appeal has been made on the ground that the CAS erred in determining that the WADA appeal should be conducted as a de novo hearing.
“That is, WADA should only have been allowed to appeal the unanimous decision of the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal on grounds of either legal error or that it was grossly unreasonable.”
None of the 34 players have sought an injunction on their ban, meaning they remain suspended from any involvement with their current football clubs.
