AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has denied a secret deal with Essendon coach James Hird over the club’s supplements scandal.

He also insists the AFL or the Bombers are not paying Hird during his 12-month ban.

Demetriou said there was no agreement struck with Essendon where their players would avoid anti-doping sanctions, saying that suggestion was “absolutely absurd”.

While the AFL hit Essendon with massive penalties in late August, including Hird’s suspension, the club remains under Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation.

On Wednesday, News Corp Australia publications published several stories about the back-room negotiations before August 27, the day when the AFL announced its sanctions against Essendon.

Essendon and Hird had threatened Supreme Court action only days before because talks with the AFL had broken down.

In response to the latest reporting about the supplements scandal, Demetriou took the unusual step of writing to all clubs defending the league’s actions and insisting the negotiations were above board.

His letter was also made public.

“It is already well-known that negotiations were held to resolve the matter as quickly and as appropriately as possible – this is hardly a revelation,” Demetriou said.

“Consistent with the strong view put by the 17 AFL club presidents, the issue was resolved within the AFL industry.

“Without detailing the cut and thrust of those discussions, they were held in good faith at a number of levels and were always appropriate.”

The stories alleged Hird was offered career advancement, including overseas travel, if he accepted the 12-month ban.

Demetriou insists he was not privy to the negotiations because he was a member of the AFL commission panel that authorised the Essendon penalties.

Along with Hird’s ban, Essendon were kicked out of the finals, fined $2 million and lost draft picks.

Demetriou was adamant that neither the AFL or Essendon were paying Hird during his ban.

“The AFL did not offer, did not authorise, inducements and paid study to the best of my knowledge,” he said.

“There would have been absolutely no discussion from anyone at the AFL about (being) paid while you’re not coaching or being suspended.

“I can categorically tell you, that part of the sanction from the AFL is he’s suspended without pay from Essendon.”

The News Corp stories also revealed a meeting at the home of Demetriou’s deputy Gillon McLachlan a few days before the penalties were confirmed.

Hird and his lawyer attended those talks, along with AFL counsel Andrew Dillon.

The stories outlined the crucial role played by Australian Sports Commission chairman John Wylie, who acted as an intermediary between the league and the AFL when negotiations between the two bodies reached an impasse.

Wylie’s part in negotiations was initially revealed in early September.