Stephen Dank has avoided the three crucial charges relating to the administration of banned peptide Thymosin Beta 4, but could still face a life-time ban from the sport after a ruling by the AFL’s anti-doping tribunal in Melbourne, Friday.
Dank, the sports scientist at the heart of the club’s controversial supplements program, has been fighting for his career after the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the AFL levelled several serious charges against him, including the alleged administration, attempted administration, and assistance of players in the use of banned substances.
Dank has been found guilty of 10 charges by the tribunal, including the trafficking, attempting to traffic and complicity in matters related to prohibited substances Hexarelin, Humanofort - Insulin Growth Factor 1, Insulin Growth Factor 2, Mechano Growth Factor (MGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), Follistatin and Thymosin Beta 4, CJC-1295, GHRP6 and SARMS.
The tribunal however could find insufficient evidence to charge him with the serious administration, or attempted administration charges with respect to Thymosin Beta 4. That ruling is in line with the decision by the tribunal in March to clear all 34 players associated with the program.
In a statement, AFL spokesman Andrew Dillon said he was thankful for the work and diligence the tribunal had put in, in what was a complicated case.
“The circumstances surrounding the case have been extremely difficult, given the amount of information and the number of parties involved, and the professionalism and diligence of the Tribunal has been greatly appreciated by the AFL.”
Trafficking and administration charges carry hefty penalties under the WADA code and multiple charges can result in a life-ban. The tribunal has advised the AFL a decision on sanction would be made at hearing on Tuesday May 5.
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority must now decide whether it will appeal the tribunal’s decision.
