Essendon insist the allegations on which the AFL have charged the club and four of its representatives go way beyond what they believe to be true.

The Bombers, coach James Hird, assistant Mark Thompson, football manager Danny Corcoran and club doctor Bruce Reid were all charged on Tuesday night with bringing the game into disrepute through last year’s supplement program.

Essendon chairman Paul Little on Saturday repeated his earlier admission that mistakes were made in management, governance and supervision at the club.

He said the Bombers accepted those mistakes could have repercussions.

But he said there were some allegations on which the AFL based their charges that the Bombers could not accept.

“We are fully aware that mistakes were made, particularly in the areas of management and governance, which have now been effectively addressed,” Little told a club pre-match function at Etihad Stadium.

“However the nature of some of these allegations go way beyond what we believe is the truth, in particular with regard to the use of illegal substances.

“We cannot let these allegations go unchallenged.”

The Bombers and their four officials charged are scheduled to face an AFL Commission hearing on August 26, although there is speculation they will instead seek a court injunction.

Little said everyone wanted the matter over as soon as possible and the focus to return to the field, but the Bombers were also determined to receive justice.

“We will continue to do everything in our power to see that all parties are afforded justice and to ensure that the eventual outcomes are fair, reasonable and importantly reflect the facts rather than the gossip, unsubstantiated allegations, speculations and innuendo,” he said.

“The club acknowledges that James Hird, Mark Thompson, Danny Corcoran and Dr Bruce Reid are all decent people of outstanding character, each of whom has contributed positively not only to our club but to football in general.

“At all times these four individuals believed that any and all of the supplements used were compliant with the AFL’s anti-doping code and ASADA and WADA regulations, as well as being in no way injurious to players.

“But again, let me be clear, not just to the Essendon faithful but to the Australian Football public, there were shortcomings in internal management of the club and inadequacies in supervision of key individuals in certain areas.

“We also accept that these failings occurred at the club and there may well be repercussions.”