Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell took peptide Melanotan, according to ASADA interim report

ESSENDON CEO Xavier Campbell self-injected the Melanotan II during the 2012 season, according to ASADA’s interim report.

Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell and president Paul Little leave the Federal Court after day 1 of their court case against the AFL and ASADA. Pic: Michael Klein

ESSENDON chief executive Xavier Campbell self-injected the artificial tanning drug Melanotan II during the 2012 season, according to ASADA’s interim report.

The confidential document states that an Essendon assistant coach gave the peptide to Campbell, who self-administered it.

The extract, seen by the Herald Sun, states: “Xavier Campbell injected himself with Melanotan II that was supplied by (an assistant coach).

“The use was based on a recommendation from (a club official). It is highly unlikely that the Melanotan II was medically prescribed for use by Mr Campbell”.

The Herald Sun has not named the coach or official for legal reasons.

James Hird, Xavier Campbell and Paul Little outside the Federal Court. Picture: Hamish Blair

Campbell said in a statement to the Herald Sun last night that he had only used the substance on one occasion, because of a “sleeping issue”.

“I had a personal sleeping issue at the time and was advised this treatment would be of benefit to me,” he said.

“I had this on a single occasion in my own home. It was not related to anything else going on at the club.”

“The chairman and board have always been aware of this. I had nothing to hide, came forward and volunteered this information to the club and ASADA last year.”

ASADA was asked yesterday if Melanotan II was a WADA banned drug, but it could not give a definitive answer.

It has been the subject of health warnings from the Australian Medical Association and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Nicknamed the “Barbie drug”, it is banned for commercial sale in Australia but private use is not illegal and it is commonly bought online from overseas distributors.

Asked about Melanotan II last night, Victorian AMA president Dr Tony Bartone said: “AMA Victoria is concerned by the growing use of unregulated and dangerous peptides within the community.

“Products banned by the TGA must be adhered to. It is for the health and safety reasons.”

The drug is not illegal and it is not clear if it is prohibited under the WADA code.

Campbell is not alleged to have committed a doping offence. However, the revelation raises more serious questions about Essendon’s 2012 drugs program and the conduct of senior management.

Club-appointed investigator Ziggy Switkowski described the program as a “disturbing picture of a pharmacologically experimental environment never adequately controlled or challenged”.

Campbell, promoted to the top job this season, was the club’s manager of commercial partnerships and merchandise.

The new revelation comes as senior coach James Hird fights to save his job.

Club bosses, including Campbell, are weighing up the ramifications of sacking Hird with two years to run on his $1.5 million-plus contract.

Campbell and club chairman Paul Little summoned Hird to crisis talks at the club’s Tullamarine headquarters on Thursday after the coach defied club orders and lodged a Federal Court appeal.

Hird’s fate at Essendon could be decided at a board meeting on Monday.

Club figures yesterday said Hird’s chances of survival were increasing with the passing of time.

Hird is due back in court on Thursday.

Melanotan II is the same drug the AFL and ASADA allege led to Hird suffering worrying side-effects after he also self-administered it in 2012.

Documents from Essendon’s Federal Court challenge against ASADA, quoting from an AFL charge sheet, alleged that Hird suffered side effects from injecting himself with vials of Melanotan II given to him by Robinson, the club’s then-fitness boss.

The AFL’s statement of grounds document, originally from August last year, said: “Following his self-administration of injections of Melanotan II, Hird suffered significant side effects”.

“It made him very sensitive to the sun, he developed a pronounced tan and moles on his body started to change colour. Hird was very worried about the significant side effects.”

Other reported side effects include high blood pressure, spontaneous erections and increased libido.

Campbell was officially made Essendon’s chief executive in July this year, but had been acting in the role since being made chief operating officer late last year.

Both of his promotions came after Essendon officials — including chairman Paul Little — had access to the interim report.

Former Essendon chief executive Ian Robson resigned in the wake of Switkowski’s damning report into the club’s governance failings in May last year and was replaced on an interim basis by Ray Gunston.

The club interviewed highly qualified external candidates in October, but opted not to make an appointment, instead upgrading Campbell to chief operating officer.

At Wednesday night’s best and fairest, Little publicly congratulated Campbell on his appointment as chief executive.

“Xavier took over as our CEO at a critical time for the club and has done an exemplary job guiding the ship through a very complex and difficult set of circumstances,” Little said.

“It has been a baptism of fire to say the least but one that will hold him and the Club in good stead in the years to come.”

ASADA issued 34 current and former Essendon players with show cause notices in June this year, alleging that they used the banned peptide Thymosin beta 4.

But the anti-doping process was put on hold when Essendon and Hird challenged the lawfulness of ASADA’s joint investigation into the club with the AFL.

That challenge was tossed out

It is not known whether ASADA will reissue show cause notices and continue its prosecution of the players while Hird’s appeal plays out.

An appeal date will likely be set at a hearing before Justice Susan Kenny on Thursday morning. An expedited appeal could be heard as soon as this month, but the next scheduled appeal session is not until February next year.