Please see below statement to be attributed to AFL Players’ Association CEO, Paul Marsh:

“The Players’ Association has been notified of Essendon’s decision not to appeal the Federal Court ruling.

“We have also been notified of ASADA’s intention to issue amended show cause notices to the 34 players and provide them with a summary of the evidence against them.

“The players welcome the Club’s decision and urge ASADA – if it indeed intends to issue amended show cause notices – to do so as a matter of urgency. This matter has dragged on for far too long. It is essential for all parties involved to take steps to expedite the process and bring it to a conclusion.

“We do not believe that an appeal by James Hird – if he does lodge one – should in any way disrupt the process.”