Club doctor cleared over supplements scandal

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) The Australian Football League has dropped all charges against Essendon Bombers doctor Bruce Reid for his alleged involvement in the club's supplements program which saw the team fined and prevented from taking part in the league's playoff series.

Reid had been due back in the Victorian Supreme Court on Thursday to continue his challenge against the AFL, which had charged him, Essendon coach James Hird, senior assistant coach Mark Thompson and football manager Danny Corcoran with bringing the sport into disrepute.

Hird was suspended for 12 months for his role in the supplements scandal, with Corcoran suspended for four months and Thompson fined $30,000.

The AFL also banned Essendon from participating in the 2013 finals series, fined it $2 million and imposed draft sanctions on the club for the next two seasons.

Hird, Thompson and Corcoran all accepted their sanctions, but Reid chose to take his case to court.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Reid said he shared the AFL's concerns over the circumstances of the supplements saga.

"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," Reid said.

Reid plans to return to his position as Essendon's senior medical officer in January after taking a period of leave.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is continuing its investigation of Essendon's supplements program. No players have been charged.