Demetriou rubbishes claims that ASADA is to issue infractions against Essendon players and officials

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou has rejected reports the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) is preparing to issue infraction notices to Essendon players and officials.

News Corp Australia websites this week published suggestions that the doping body was getting ready to hand penalties to at least seven people - including Coach James Hird, Football Manager Danny Corcoran, Sports Scientist Stephen Dank and Fitness Coordinator Dean Robinson - over their roles in Essendon's 2012 supplements program.

The story claimed the punishments, some of which could go as far as life-time bans, would be handed down after next week's AFL grand final.

But Demetriou, speaking on ABC 774 Melbourne radio on Friday says, based on the information he has been given, he believes the reports to be wrong.

Demtriou stated "from the conversations that my people have had, the guys working in the integrity unit and of course our general council..

"They are unaware of anything that's changed, and that's coming from ASADA so I don't know where the report came from."

Demetriou said since hearing claims of new infraction notices being issued, he has not found anyone willing to confirm the story.

"We spoke to ASADA and we spoke to representatives of the Federal Government and they told us that story was incorrect, but we've said consistently that the case is open."

The Essendon Football Club has also rejected the claims, saying the story had no factual basis.

ASADA is expected to hand down a report on doping in Australian professional sport in the near future.

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