Players ... Essendon could be liable of the health of players was overlooked. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images
ESSENDON and key officials could face legal action from the club's own players, according to the lawyer representing former Cronulla Sharks player Isaac Gordon.
James Chrara, of Shine Lawyers, said the health and well-being of players would become a focus as the supplements saga dragged on.
He said it was possible the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation, which was continuing, could turn up evidence that showed the club or club officials had failed in their duty of care to players.
It is understood there is effectively no time limit on when a player could bring action. It is possible that ill-effects from supplements could emerge at a much later date.
Some Essendon players are known to have expressed concern about the possibility of future health problems since the supplements program was brought to light in February.
Essendon coach James Hird on Tuesday maintained "none of our players have (been) shown to take performance-enhancing drugs, none of our players have shown that they've been harmed by anything that's been given".
The AFL on Tuesday night laid disrepute charges against the club, Hird, senior assistant Mark Thompson, club doctor Bruce Reid and football manager Danny Corcoran.
The charges will be heard at an AFL Commission hearing on August 26.
The league could also lay future charges under its rules against former Essendon high performance staff Dean Robinson and Stephen Dank, although any sanction would be moot as neither is now working in the AFL.
Dank has maintained that no Essendon player was given a performance-enhancing or harmful drug.
The AFL said that on the evidence it had, no doping charges would be brought against individual players.
Future infraction notices may be issued as ASADA continues to investigate.
It is understood that a lack of clarity around which players were given what could make charges unlikely - but would not mean they were not exposed to potentially harmful supplements.
Gordon was at the Sharks in 2011 - the period which is under ASADA investigation - and claims that as a result of the supplements program there, he suffered a blood-thinning disorder, severe bruising and was told by doctors that a blow to the head could have been fatal.
Chrara said each player's case had to be weighed on merit.
"We're focused on the outcomes for the players - our view is there may be multiple causes of action available to the Essendon players against their club, coaching staff and players," he said.
"It would depend on the players' individual circumstances in the program.
"I understand there was some tailoring of supplement programs for individual players, what they were exposed to, so you need to assess every case on its merits.
"It is pretty clear that Essendon's management and coaches and trainers have got a legal duty to the players - this is to do all they responsibly can to prevent the players being injured or exposed to harm."
Chrara would not say if Shine was representing any Essendon players.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Players could sue Bombers, says lawyer
Dengan url
http://sportlivestyle.blogspot.com/2013/08/players-could-sue-bombers-says-lawyer.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Players could sue Bombers, says lawyer
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Players could sue Bombers, says lawyer
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar