AFL reveals negotiated Essendon sanctions

The AFL has barred the Essendon Football Club from its 2013 finals series and suspended coach James Hird for 12 months as punishment for the club's controversial supplements program.

The AFL has also fined the Bombers $2 million and stripped the club of its first two draft picks for the 2013 draft, and its second-round pick in 2014.

Essendon Football Manager Danny Corcoran has been suspended for six months, with two months suspended, while assistant coach Mark Thompson has been fined $30,000.

AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said Essendon had admitted to failing in its duty of care towards its players in delivering an "experimental, inappropriate, and inadequately vetted" supplements program.

He also said that Essendon was unaware of whether the club administered players with prohibited substances, stating "the AFL acknowledges that neither the Essendon Football Club nor any of the individuals charged set out to implement a supplements program that would result in players being administered prohibited or potentially harmful substances.

"However, the Essendon Football Club today acknowledged that it had established a supplements program which was experimental, inappropriate, and inadequately vetted and controlled.

"And, in relation to that program, the club, firstly, failed to ensure it adequately protected the health and welfare and safety of the players.

"Secondly, there was a risk that Essendon players couldn't have been administered substances prohibited by the AFL anti-doping code and the World Anti-Doping Code and any such risk is an unacceptable risk.

"Thirdly, the Essendon Football Club is now unable to determine whether the Essendon players were administered some substances prohibited by the AFL anti-doping code and the World Anti-Doping Code."

The sanctions against the Club followed a period of negotiations between the Bombers and league officials over punishments for the scandal.

The AFL had reportedly pressured the Bombers to accept the penalties on the table or risk heavier punishments.

As a result, the Bombers, who are currently seventh in the AFL premiership, will officially finish ninth for the season, stating "the club will forfeit its place in the 2013 AFL finals series.

"It will not play in the 2013 finals series, being deemed to have finished the 2013 premiership season in ninth position.

"The club is prohibited from exercising at the 2013 and 2014 national drafts its round one and round two selections.

"The Essendon football club in 2014 will be granted a selection at the end of round one at the national draft prior to any compensation selections otherwise awarded and under the rules."

Fitzpatrick said Hird's suspension would be backdated to 25th August and he would not be able to work at any AFL club during the next 12 months.

However, the Bombers announced immediately that the club would welcome Hird back as the club's senior coach when his suspension is complete.

Club doctor Bruce Reid is apparently contesting the charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

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