WHAT ASADA CHIEF EXECUTIVE BEN MCDEVITT SAID:

“An appeal option is a very live option for ASADA.”

“They (the players) have been used as pin cushions.”

“This was not a supplements program, this was an injections regime.”

On whether the not guilty findings represented a black day for ASADA: “Let’s dismiss that. I don’t think it is a useful description for any of us.”

On ASADA holding samples for 10 years: “My very clear message here to would-be dopers, is you are backing yourself not only against the science of today if you cheat, you are backing yourself against a decade of science and technology (when it) does catch up.”

On the very different outcomes from the investigations into Cronulla NRL players and Essendon AFL players: “Different year, different substances, different administration regimes, different numbers, different levels of sophistication.”

Defending ASADA’s handling of the protracted matter: “I am incredibly proud of the team at ASADA for the extraordinary work that they have done in assembling a very complex and comprehensive brief.”

On the penalties the AFL imposed on Essendon: “The AFL took some very comprehensive action in relation to the governance. They fined the club $2 million. The club was removed and eliminated from being able to compete in the finals competition. You can take a hard-line on governance, it doesn’t make the anti-doping issues go away.”

On former ASADA boss’s Richard Ings’ claim the anti-doping framework in Australia is broken: “The only thing I could say about Richard Ings is he doesn’t subscribe to the view that ex CEOs should ride off into the sunset.”