The news on Essendon's 2012 supplements regime shows no signs of ceasing, with fresh claims emerging overnight that the club sought the assistance of underworld figure, Mick Gattoย in 2014.
The Herald Sun reports that Essendon asked for Gatto's help to fix the doping scandal, while the club has also been accused of removing emails regarding the injections, covering up cocaine use, sexual harassment and fraud.
The explosive allegationsย have been made by former premiership player and assistant coach Dean Wallis and John Elliot, who worked as the club's team services manager.
โI have been scapegoated in relation to the supplement program, while others at the club have been covering up the use of cocaine, sexual harassment and fraudulent behaviour," Wallis said in a statement.
Elliot also accused the club of serious malpractice, including scheduling a meeting with infamous underworld enforcer, Mick Gatto.
โIn November 2014 I was asked ... to set up a meeting off-site with Mr Mick Gatto, who was an external well-known dispute resolution specialist,โโ Mr Elliott alleges.
โThe purpose of the meeting was in regard to obtaining information from Mr Shane Charter, who was a supplier to Mr Stephen Dank."
However, the club has rubbished the claims, labelling the allegations as false.
"Two disgruntled ex-employees have made a number of false and unsubstantiated allegations against the club," Essendon boss Lindsay Tanner told News Corp on Wednesday night.
"Allegations of ... dealings with Mick Gatto are false. Inappropriate demands and threats made upon Essendon Football Club have been reported to the AFL integrity department and on its advice, Victoria Police have been contacted."
