Essendon players will suffer irreparable harm to their reputation if their anonymity isn’t protected during the club’s battle with Australia’s anti-doping body, the Federal Court has been told.

Lawyers for the 34 current and former players accused of using banned supplements in 2012 say they fear being publicly named if they formally join Essendon in its fight against the investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

Federal Court Justice John Middleton has raised concerns about the players remaining outside the August trial, but David Grace QC said they would only take part if measures were put in place to ensure privacy.

“The reluctance of players to be involved is solely related to this question of anonymity,” he told a directions hearing on Wednesday.

Mr Grace argued that their reputations would “suffer irreparable harm” if they were named.

Both Essendon and its suspended coach, James Hird, are arguing that last year’s joint ASADA and AFL investigation into the club’s 2012 supplements program was unlawful.

The directions hearing continues.