THE ANTI-DOPING charges against 34 past and present Essendon players will be heard in private.
The chairman of the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal, David Jones, ruled that the hearing would take place in camera, despite submissions by lawyers for the media organisations and the AFL that they be at least made open to accredited media.
The chairman of the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal, David Jones, ruled that the hearing would take place in camera, despite submissions by lawyers for the media organisations and the AFL that they be at least made open to accredited media.
Click here to read the full ruling by Tribunal chairman David Jones
At the earlier directions hearing on November 18, AFL lawyer Jeff Gleeson SC argued that chairman Jones should exercise his discretion to conduct the hearing in public given the significant public interest in the matter over an extended period of time and the importance of the proceedings to AFL football's integrity.
Justin Quill, representing four media outlets, said an open hearing would help restore confidence in the AFL by increasing the public's understanding and acceptance of the Anti-Doping Tribunal's eventual ruling.
"There has been no greater risk to the game of AFL football,” Quill said.
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