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ASADA send Stephen Dank notice: report

Australian anti-doping body ASADA have sent controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank a disclosure notice, according to a media report.

It is unclear whether the notice refers to Dank’s involvement at AFL club Essendon or NRL club Cronulla.

The two clubs are the subjects of ongoing ASADA investigations.

Channel Nine reported on Thursday night that the notice relates to 34 alleged anti-doping violations.

Dank is reportedly upset that the issuing of the notice was leaked to the media.

He appears certain to refer the notice to his legal team.

Former ASADA chief executive Richard Ings said on Twitter that retired Federal Court judge Garry Downes would be a major reason for the notice being sent to Dank.

“Make no mistake this has Judge Downes all over it. Remember he is running this show now on the ASADA end,” Ings said in a tweet.

“He will act on credible questions.”

Downes was brought in last month to help wrap up ASADA’s lengthy investigations into the Essendon and Cronulla supplements programs.

Late last month, outgoing ASADA chief executive Aurora Andruska told a Senate Estimates Hearing that the information gathering phase of the investigation was over.

It was also confirmed at the time that ASADA had not interviewed Dank, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The Federal Government want Downes to provide an assessment of the investigation by April, but it is unclear when ASADA will decide whether to issue anti-doping infraction notices.

The AFL hit Essendon with severe penalties last season over the club’s 2012 supplements program, kicking the Bombers out of the finals and suspending coach James Hird for 12 months among other penalties.

The NRL hit the Sharks with a $1 million fine and issued a 12-month ban to coach Shane Flanagan and cancelled the registration of trainer Trent Elkin.

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