Australian professional sports rocked by drug & crime investigation

[Downunder Dolphan]

An investigation by the Australian Crime Commission has rocked the reputation of Australian professional sport, uncovering widespread anti-doping violations and at least one case of suspected match-fixing.

Links:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/more-sport/acc-sport-report-the-statements-that-have-shocked-a-nation/story-fnduixme-1226572551609

http://www.crimecommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/organised-crime-and-drugs-in-sports-feb2013.pdf

Some extracts:

Widespread use of peptides has been identified, or is suspected by the ACC, in a number of professional sporting codes in Australia. Although the use of peptides appears to be more widespread in some major codes, individuals from a number of other sports are also suspected of using peptides.

Multiple players (in one code) from a number of clubs are suspected of currently using or having previously used peptides, which could constitute an anti-doping rule violation. Some players have also been identified as sourcing peptides for personal use. An instance of team-based doping, orchestrated by some club officials and coaching staff, has also been identified.

Apart from the peptide’s anabolic effects, it has been found that injured elite athletes, particularly players from one sporting code, have been using peptides to assist in rehabilitating soft tissue injuries.

In some cases, peptides and other substances were administered to players without them understanding the nature of the substances, and without the knowledge of the team doctor or club medical staff.

While the level of suspected use of peptides varies between sporting codes, officials from one club have been identified as administering, via injections and intravenous drips, a variety of substances, possibly including peptides. Moreover, the substances were administered at levels which were possibly in breach of WADA anti-doping rules. This activity was orchestrated by some club officials and the club’s high performance unit.

The ACC has identified individuals with extensive criminal associations as being in business partnerships with major Australian sporting codes. The existence of such business relationships raises concerns over the potential for these relationships to be exploited for criminal purposes and demonstrates how open Australian professional sports currently are to infiltration by organised criminal identities and groups through legitimate businesses.

[Sunstroke]

I never in a million years would have guessed that athletes in Australia were actually human beings that were capable of cheating...

[CF DolFan]

Not aimed at Stroke's humorous sarcasm but I think time again and again it is proven that wherever there is competition there will be cheating.

[Landshark]

I never in a million years would have guessed that athletes in Australia were actually human beings that were capable of cheating...

I'm sure they cheat all the time, then laugh about it over Bloomin Onions and Fosters at Outback Steakhouse.

[Downunder Dolphan]

It's the scale of what's been reported that's the biggest shock - when this was announced the heads of the biggest sporting codes were there to take their lumps (AFL, NRL, Rugby Union, Cricket, A-League Soccer). Within 48 hours a few were trying to distance themselves from what was reported (ie. the head of A-League said the ACC reported no breaches to do with soccer, Cricket & AFL said there were no incidences of match fixing), but at the very least the whole saga has shown their policing to be inadequate. It has also appeared to have uncovered at least one major team doping violation in a similar vein to the Lance Armstrong scandal, and that's big news over here.