ASADA Saga Thread

[Spanner shark]

Chris?

lol.then we would need BK

 

[Catapultluch]

ASADA will more than likely want to separate our players in order to convince them to take the offer. Problem is that by doing so, we are opening ourselves to possible further sanctions from WADA. Players would be better off rejecting the offer and waiting for ASADA to issue show cause letters if they have enough proof. Seems as though the evidence they do have, they cant use so there is a stalemate. Government wants to see the end of this as does everyone else. Hopefully, ASADA gets told to either present their evidence or drop the case altogether.

 

[hamsy44]

ASADA are probably meeting the Sharks players individually as they want to get the player who was about to turn the first time to turn - and there is a good chance at least one player will turn which then means all the other players turn and admit guilt, then ASADA will move onto the coaching staff who will probably cop the full punishment.

Of course there will be one player who does not turn but it sucks to be him because he will no longer be our problem, he can go down with the coaches.

 

[slide rule]

Paul Gallen: If we take this deal, we'll be drug cheats

August 20, 2014
Chris Barrett
​

Paul Gallen has outlined the uncertainty and confusion confronting Cronulla players ahead of a meeting with ASADA and the NRL on Wednesday, admitting they will be labelled drug cheats if they accept reduced bans offered by the anti-doping agency.

Up to 17 past and present Sharks players who were at the club during their 2011 supplements program are scheduled to meet with ASADA officials on Wednesday where they are expected to be offered suspensions of six months or less for their role in the episode.

However, accepting reduced penalties would require admissions that they took a prohibited substance and under ASADA's "substantial assistance" protocols that they provide co-operation to the drugs in sport watchdog.

Gallen, one of four players still at the club who will be involved in Wednesday's meeting, said there was apprehension about what laid ahead in the coming days.

"There is two ways to look at it. There's obviously a lot of rumour going around the past couple of days and the boys have spoken about it. Our mind and our mood changes every couple of minutes," Gallen told Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday.

"At one stage (we were thinking) 'Thank God, this is going to be over hopefully, whatever happens is going to happen and we can just get on with life'. Because closure on this thing would just be unbelievable...what we've gone through the past two seasons.
"But then you say 'let's stuff this, we've done nothing wrong'. It's a real hard situation to be in. I know we've spoken about over the past couple of years how much we've gone through but really what I've told you and what we've been through I can't explain it to you. The next couple of days are going to be interesting."

The NSW State of Origin captain would stand to forfeit his Test spot in the post-season Four Nations international tournament if he agreed to a deal and took a six-month ban, as well as losing potential income from several boxing bouts he has in the works.

The 33-year-old said, however, that there was far more at stake than a major hit to the bank balance.

"You can't get those games for Australia back," Gallen said. "But it's your reputation; it's what I've built over the last 15 plus years in training full time and getting to where I've got to in the game. That's tarnished now already, but if we do this we're going to be labelled a drug cheat, no matter what. It's a tough situation to be in."

He added: "I'm 100 per cent positive I've never taken anything that's been on any banned list. I can say that, yeah."

Gallen said he had discussed with his legal team whether he should be wary of making any major decisions before Essendon's case against ASADA in the Federal Court had reached a verdict. He said it had been frustrating to hear revelations out of the court of political interference in the now 18-month saga.

"I've asked them about that and we're not 100 per cent sure, because (my lawyer) believes that they're probably going to try and back us into a corner where we have to make a decision, basically ASAP before the Essendon thing is over," he said. "But as I said we don't know that for sure yet.

"To be honest with you guys, I don't even know where the meeting is at yet. I told my lawyers that I could be anywhere within an hour, so I don't want to know. We'll just deal with it as it comes."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...rug-cheats-20140820-1062s6.html#ixzz3At5GPhhD
​

 

[slide rule]

The media would love for this to keep rolling on. For them, it is the story that keeps on giving. Part of me wonders if that has anything to do with the contiual stories saying "don't do a deal".

 

[Bundy Shark]

The media would love for this to keep rolling on. For them, it is the story that keeps on giving. Part of me wonders if that has anything to do with the contiual stories saying "don't do a deal".

Agree, perfect for also when its a good old slow news day, just re hash a article with a few words removed/swapped around & presto we have a story filler for the paper.

 

[Catapultluch]

Essendon are going down. They are going to lose big. Huge in fact. They will have the court case ruled unlawful and they will still lose. Essendon aren't just trying to win, they HAVE to win 100 nil. ASADA will be ruled to have broken the law and it isn't going to make a shred of difference. The Justice has already said he won't stop the show causes or the investigation. The liklihood of him striking out evidence is slim at best, and enough evidence to stop ASADA, close to zero.


If "we" is the players he might be right. If "we" is the CSFC, then that is entirely different.

Geez Mate, what articles are you reading? Everything I have heard or read basically points out that ASADA are embarrassed by the way that their evidence has been dismissed. The so-called extent of the initial briefing 2 years ago has not eventuated seeing there were only 2 clubs involved across all sports dragged into this sorry mess. Like I said ASADA and the Labor Government are so embarrassed about the bull ****e they incinuated on the public that they just want us to accept some form of blame so they can say “I told you so”

 

[hamsy44]

Geez Mate, what articles are you reading? Everything I have heard or read basically points out that ASADA are embarrassed by the way that their evidence has been dismissed. The so-called extent of the initial briefing 2 years ago has not eventuated seeing there were only 2 clubs involved across all sports dragged into this sorry mess. Like I said ASADA and the Labor Government are so embarrassed about the bull ****e they incinuated on the public that they just want us to accept some form of blame so they can say “I told you so”

The problem is ASADA can not just let it go now, they have to suspend players are look ineffective which will lead to more athletes thinking they can get away with things and use the AFL and NRL as a precedent.

Please from the Sharks will get suspended its a given now, its either going to be for 6 months or less or 2 years.

The AFL is a little different, Essendon have the money to keep this going for a while in the courts and can probably push it till everyone forgets and ASADA lets the matter drop.

 

[fitz]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ng-infringements/story-fni3gol8-1227030586958

 

[CrankyShark]

Geez Mate, what articles are you reading? Everything I have heard or read basically points out that ASADA are embarrassed by the way that their evidence has been dismissed. The so-called extent of the initial briefing 2 years ago has not eventuated seeing there were only 2 clubs involved across all sports dragged into this sorry mess. Like I said ASADA and the Labor Government are so embarrassed about the bull ****e they incinuated on the public that they just want us to accept some form of blame so they can say “I told you so”

I've been reading the views of various legal commentators and done my best to follow the case. If you want to find unbiased legal commentary the best place to go is here http://sociallitigator.com.

What evidence has been dismissed?

 

[fitz]

Doping notices have been issued to 17 past and present Sharks players at a meeting with the NRL and ASADA in Sydney today.

The Daily Telegraph understands show cause notices, which signal ASADA’s intent to charge athletes with a doping infringement, were distributed at the meeting.

It’s also believed the notices varied in severity, with some players facing bans of up to two years, while others could only be sidelined for as little as a year or six months.

The players have now been given 10 days to respond, and can elect to challenge the notices in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) or Federal Court.

Prior to attending the meeting, players held briefings with their independent legal teams at various locations throughout the CBD.

Nine - including current Sharks Nathan Gardner, Wade Graham and Anthony Tupou - are being represented by former ASADA solicitor

Richard Redman. Gardner was spotted driving his team mates past Redman’s Pitt St firm around 10:30am.

Shortly afterwards knight pair Jeremy Smith and Kade Snowden - both of whom were exposed to Cronulla’s 2011 supplement regime - were spotted around the corner, en route to a briefing with their solicitor.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ng-infringements/story-fni3gol8-1227030586958

 

[CrankyShark]

If they were issued show causes I assume that means they didn't accept deals.

 

[slide rule]

If they were issued show causes I assume that means they didn't accept deals.

Maybe not?

It’s also believed the notices varied in severity, with some players facing bans of up to two years, while others could only be sidelined for as little as a year or six months.

 

[CrankyShark]

Maybe not?

The range of six months to two years is a little puzzling. Maybe some players took deals and others are going to fight it.

 

[QldSharky]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ng-infringements/story-fni3gol8-1227030586958

So out of that article the only things I got where Gards was driving his car this morning with team mates in it and Jez and Snowden were spotted in town. How the **** are they allowed to publish what the are lead to believe. ****ing grubs the lot of them.

 

[slide rule]

The range of six months to two years is a little puzzling. Maybe some players took deals and others are going to fight it.

Yeah who knows. Guess, we'll find out soon enough.

 

[vicsharkfan]

I'm waiting for Rebecca Wilson to bring me up to speed.. She knows people close to the investigation..

 

[fitz]

To be fair, a lot of the journos are VERY tight with player managers - players come and players go but those relationships last a long time. It's just a symbiotic merchant <-> market thing.

In fact, in terms of player managers and journos continuing to do their jobs, the players are largely irrelevant.

 

[slide rule]

So out of that article the only things I got where Gards was driving his car this morning with team mates in it and Jez and Snowden were spotted in town. How the **** are they allowed to publish what the are lead to believe. ****ing grubs the lot of them.

I'd be surprised if they haven't been issued with the notices if they've written it. It's not impossible that they haven't, but I'd think it unlikely. I hate the Dt but I don't know if even they would stick their neck out that far.

 

[BlackWhiteBlue]

Been doing work today for the former deputy pm, on the radio it was reported about the notices. His opinion was that the process has been a joke, no concrete evidence and that its taken 12 months too long. This is a former deputy pm.

In honesty each player deserves his own decision. Yes dragging it on keeps the club in its grasp but the players also deserve to defend themselves. Ive never thought it was any of our guys actively seeking banned gear at all.