Essendon’s board have declared their unanimous backing for chairman David Evans and coach James Hird amid speculation the long-running anti-doping investigation is straining relationships at the AFL club.
And Andrew Demetriou says he has no ill feeling towards Hird despite the coach having given evidence to ASADA that has forced the AFL chief executive to publicly defend his integrity.
The Bombers board on Friday endorsed Evans’ performance after it was reported that some directors were concerned at the way he has defended the club in the face of the supplements investigation and that Hird shared their misgivings.
“(Evans) has always had the best interests of the Essendon Football Club, its players, staff and members as his top priority,” the board said in a statement on the club’s website.
“To suggest the board is anything but unanimously behind David Evans is simply untrue and is a misrepresentation of the views of the board.”
“… We are united behind coach James Hird and captain Jobe Watson and overwhelmingly endorse David Evans in his position as chairman of the Essendon Football Club.”
Demetriou also praised Hird on Friday and said he had no personal animosity towards the Bombers coach, after it was revealed this week Hird gave evidence to ASADA concerning a phone call Demetriou made to Evans in February.
Earlier on the same day, Demetriou had received a confidential briefing from the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) on drugs and crime in sport and, the following day, the Bombers called on ASADA and the AFL to investigate them.
Demetriou on Friday repeated his claim, which has been backed by the ACC, that he didn’t break the commission’s confidentiality agreement by tipping off the Bombers.
Had he done so, it would have been a crime.
Demetriou said Hird, who was at a meeting with Evans and other Essendon officials when Evans received Demetriou’s call, was entitled to have his own interpretation, but he was determined to defend his integrity.
“I will defend my reputation and clear the air and make sure that the truth is told,” Demetriou said on ABC radio.
“In my world, it’s very easy to sell the truth. I learnt that a long time ago.
“So I’ve got no issue, I’ve got no issue with David Evans – he’s a person of the highest integrity.
“I think James Hird is a person of the highest integrity. That may be his version.”