Dr Reid strongly supports the AFL in its fundamental priority of looking after the health and welfare of players.  He shares its concern over the serious circumstances which gave rise to the supplements saga at the Essendon Football Club.  Dr Reid has always had the health of the players as his first priority over his 30 years as a club doctor. However, the failures of governance of the club’s “High Performance Unit” resulted in him being marginalised with information being kept from him by those in control of the program.  It is absolutely clear he has always shared the long-standing stance of the AFL that football must have a drug-free culture.

Dr Reid said: “I support the stance taken by the AFL and the AFL Medical Officers Association in requiring appropriate governance at club level (particularly in terms of “sports science”), including a hierarchy of control which ensures a club doctor is the key person with the responsibility within AFL clubs for the health, welfare and safety of the playing group”.

The Essendon Football Club is keen for Dr Reid to continue in his role as Senior Medical Officer and has appointed him to the role for the 2014 season. Dr Reid will take leave and will return to the club in January 2014.

The AFL accepts Dr Reid’s position and withdraws all charges against him, without penalty.

Australian Football League

Perry Maddocks Trollope Lawyers – on behalf of Dr Reid