Andrew Demetriou has described as “offensive” the suggestion by Essendon great Tim Watson that the AFL have predetermined sanctions for the AFL club over the supplements saga.
The AFL chief executive arrived back from the United States on Wednesday, confirming he had already read the 400-page interim report complied by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency into the Bombers’ controversial 2012 season supplements program, which was handed over on Friday.
He said he still hoped the matter would be finalised before the final series begins in September but that depended on the AFL’s legal advice.
Demetriou hit out at claims by Watson that the AFL had been conditioning the public to expect that Essendon would be sanctioned heavily, including the loss of premiership points.
“I was really surprised by those comments,” Demetriou said.
“In short I think they are offensive, to suggest the AFL commission and the people on the commission would somehow pre-determine an outcome is offensive and just plain wrong.”
Asked if he hoped to have the matter settled before the start of the finals, Demetriou said: “We are hoping … with the best intent. I think it would be appropriate if we could and if we can it would be a good thing.
“But we are being dictated to by our general counsel Andrew Dillon.”