The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday (12th January) suspended 34 current or former Essendon players for the 2016 AFL season after ruling in favour of an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mike Fitzpatrick, AFL Commission Chairman:

"As tough as this sanction feels, the AFL accepts the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We feel very disappointed for the players. The program at Essendon Football Club in 2012 was a stain on our game. It's had terrible impact on the players, the club and the reputation of the AFL. It struck at the very heart of our game, the integrity of the competition, the health and safety of the players. The players have received a very harsh punishment today in having a doping violation recorded and a suspension until November 2016. We feel for the players and we will be offering whatever support we can through the Players' Association in coming months."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Gillon McLachlan, AFL Chief Executive Officer:

"This is a devastating decision for the past and present players of the Essendon Football Club and the AFL feels deeply for them. It is our view that they have been horribly let down by the administration of the time, that the club has sought to acknowledge what has happened and to move on from these events."