This was published 9 years ago
Essendon CAS decision: James Hird claims 'miscarriage of justice'
By Rohan Connolly
- Essendon players banned for 2016 season
- What the CAS decision means
- Live coverage: Essendon/CAS decision
Former Essendon coach James Hird has claimed a miscarriage of justice after 12-month suspensions were handed to his former Essendon players by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday morning (AEDT).
Hird, who spoke with Fairfax Media, released a short statement saying he was shocked by the decision, which overturned the original AFL anti-doping tribunal's finding - that the tribunal was not comfortably satisfied that the 34 past and present Essendon players take taken a banned substance. .
"I am shocked by this decision," Hird said. "I firmly believe the players do not deserve this finding. They do not deserve to face a 12-month suspension from the sport.
"This is a miscarriage of justice for 34 young men.
Miscarriage of justice: James Hird.Credit: Getty Images
"I will not be making any further comment today. I intend to make further comment later in the week."