Professional sports and the use of performance enhancing substances has been a matter of the more recent times. A larger number of major events have special committees that check for any illegal drugs taken by athletes, but sometimes, there are controversies that require a much closer look.
Even though it might seem that it is players or athlete’s personal decision to intake any illegal substance, the case of Essendon illustrates that players are not always directly involved or motivated to break regulations.
Essendon and its players are one example of a case where many factors have played a role in the matter. The ASADA has started an investigation of an intake of illegal substance by the coach and the football team. The primary issue pertains to the laws and regulations in accordance with other teams and organizations (Glory & Fame: The Rise and Rise of the Essendon Football Club 2009).
In reality there are two important points of concern if the proposed facts really did take place. One is that the coach acted without any motivation from the players; hence they were not aware of the substance they were using. It could be supposed that the whole team is deceiving the authorities but it is highly unlikely. The blame that is attributed to every player is preposterous because there is no complete evidence and speculation leads nowhere.
In either case, the whole team cannot and must not be held responsible for the actions of one person, as there was no conspiracy between them. Clearly, the authority of each level of supervisors must be used to adhere to the rules, and make sure that the players are safe and free from any potential legal action (King 2012).
This fact distinctly proves that sport governance rests on individuals and not the sport or a team. This would become a sport issue if individual players have used different substances or proportions but this is not the case.
The second important point is that there has been no evidence presented and a lot of the rumors that are circulating are mostly damaging the reputation of people who are not even guilty. In reality, this problem has distanced itself from the sport governance issue and led to ethical and moral conduct by authorities and society. Sometimes, people deliberately break the law to gain more than is allowed, but honest mistakes are made also (Hoye 2012).
Judging by the character of the coach and the players, it can be said that this investigation should not be done in relation to sport, but as a matter that stands alone and apart from sports governance. In the end, all the rules, laws and policies come down to ethics and morality.
Managers, coaches, players and even citizens have a moral responsibility to observe, request and provide details, as well as follow the rules set up by organizations and the government. It is not justice when a situation arises where the whole team and unsuspecting management have to suffer due to unproven accusations and lack of material evidence (Segaert 2012).
There is still many unanswered questions, but judging by the players’ and coach’s conduct it would be acceptable to say that this matter is strictly outside the sport. It could be labeled as negligence at best, as there were no deliberate illegal actions to better the performance.
Reference List
Glory & Fame: The Rise and Rise of the Essendon Football Club 2009, Slattery Media Group, Docklands, Vic.
Hoye, R 2012, Sport Governance, Routledge, Burlington, MA.
King, N 2012, Sport Policy and Governance, Routledge, Burlington, MA.
Segaert, B 2012, Sports Governance, Development and Corporate Responsibility, Routledge, New York, NY.