Essendon coach James Hird says he has been denied natural justice after the AFL released details of charges laid against him.

“The AFL today continued its trial by media of me with the release of the charges against Essendon,” Hird said.

The Essendon coach also accused the AFL of a breach of due process by releasing a letter that club doctor Bruce Reid sent to him.

“The letter, released in isolation, is designed to damage my reputation,” Hird said.

Hird said the Bombers only received notice from the AFL that the charges were being released “minutes” before it happened.

“Courtesy would dictate that the AFL would have given adequate notification of the release of the charges so I could prepare,” he said.

Essendon chairman Paul Little also sharply criticised the league’s decision to make public on Wednesday a 34-page document which outlines its case against the Bombers.