AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says he didn’t tip off Essendon as he didn’t know which club was under investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).
Demetriou has acknowledged he did phone Bombers president David Evans the night before the club reported fears its players had used performance-enhancing substances.
He said both the AFL and Essendon had been receiving calls from the media speculating about the use of supplements.
Demetriou said Evans was “disturbed” after his own investigations into the matter and the pair exchanged phone calls.
“He rang me to see if I knew any more and I said I don’t know any more David, I don’t know who the club is,” Demetriou told radio station 3AW.
“I returned his phone call at 9pm that night … and I said I’m not aware of the club.
“To say that I rang David Evans that night and said ‘By the way David, I’m tipping you off that ASADA’s about to investigate you’.
“It simply didn’t happen because we weren’t aware of it.”
Conflicting versions of what was said in the February 4 call have been detailed to ASADA, News Limited’s Herald Sun has reported.
ASADA was reportedly told the Demetriou call was made during an emergency meeting at Evans’ home.
Demetriou and Evans allegedly talked about whether Bombers players had used banned substances.
It’s understood the claim was made by a particular witness in an interview with ASADA.
Others present at the gathering were Essendon coach James Hird, club doctor Bruce Reid, football boss Danny Corcoran and former chief executive Ian Robson.
Demetriou said the allegations had been examined by ASADA and found to be untrue.
Demetriou said he also didn’t tell Evans that he had been briefed the previous month by the Australian Crime Commission because he was subject to confidentiality.