Essendon have dramatically distanced themselves from beleaguered coach James Hird, who could be sacked as early as Thursday.

Hird lodged papers with the Federal Court on Thursday against the decision by Justice Middleton last month that the joint investigation by AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority was legal.

Essendon have decided not to appeal the decision, with Hird further distancing himself from the club by taking the opposite approach.

“I have been advised and believe that there are strong reasons why that decision is incorrect and that this is the proper and appropriate course to vindicate the legal rights of the EFC and its players,” Hird said on Thursday in a statement.

“The challenge to the lawfulness of the joint investigation was and is an important step in showing that the Essendon Football Club, its players and staff were submitted to a compromised investigation and were treated unfairly.

“If we don’t appeal our players may be stained forever by the innuendo, misconceptions and falsities that resulted from an investigation that we believe was conducted unlawfully.

“It is important that an investigation based on unlawfully gathered information never occurs again to any person, sporting club or organisation.”